Saints Coach Phil Dowson: ‘Banking Was a Difficult Experience’
Northampton may not be the most exotic destination in the world, but its squad provides an abundance of thrills and drama.
In a town known for shoe production, you might expect punting to be the Northampton's main approach. But under leader Phil Dowson, the squad in the club's hues prefer to retain possession.
Even though playing for a typically British town, they display a style synonymous with the greatest French exponents of attacking rugby.
After Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the domestic league and gone deep in the Champions Cup – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and ousted by Leinster in a last-four clash previously.
They currently top the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and travel to Ashton Gate on matchday as the only unbeaten side, chasing a maiden victory at Bristol's home since 2021.
It would be natural to think Dowson, who participated in 262 premier fixtures for various teams in total, consistently aimed to be a coach.
“As a professional, I never seriously considered it,” he remarks. “Yet as you get older, you realise how much you love the game, and what the real world entails. I worked briefly at a banking firm doing work experience. You travel to work a several occasions, and it was tough – you realise what you possess and lack.”
Conversations with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a role at the Saints. Move forward eight years and Dowson guides a roster ever more filled with global stars: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for the Red Rose facing the All Blacks two weeks ago.
The young flanker also had a profound impact from the replacements in England’s flawless campaign while the number ten, down the line, will assume the No 10 jersey.
Is the emergence of this remarkable generation because of the club's environment, or is it luck?
“It is a mix of each,” comments Dowson. “I’d credit Chris Boyd, who gave them opportunities, and we had challenging moments. But the practice they had as a unit is undoubtedly one of the factors they are so tight and so gifted.”
Dowson also mentions Mallinder, a former boss at Franklin’s Gardens, as a major influence. “It was my good fortune to be guided by highly engaging individuals,” he says. “Mallinder had a major effect on my rugby life, my training methods, how I manage others.”
Saints execute entertaining rugby, which became obvious in the case of their new signing. The Gallic player was part of the French club beaten in the continental tournament in last season when Tommy Freeman scored a three tries. Belleau admired the style enough to buck the pattern of UK players heading across the Channel.
“A friend called me and stated: ‘We've found a French 10 who’s in search of a club,’” Dowson says. “My response was: ‘There's no budget for a overseas star. Another target will have to wait.’
‘He desires experience, for the chance to challenge himself,’ my mate informed me. That interested me. We met with Belleau and his communication was incredible, he was articulate, he had a sense of humour.
“We questioned: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He responded to be guided, to be pushed, to be in a new environment and outside the Top 14. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he has been. We’re lucky to have him.”
Dowson states the 20-year-old the flanker offers a unique energy. Does he know an individual comparable? “No,” Dowson replies. “Everyone’s original but Henry is different and unique in numerous aspects. He’s fearless to be who he is.”
His breathtaking try against Leinster last season illustrated his unusual ability, but some of his demonstrative during matches behavior have brought accusations of cockiness.
“He sometimes appears cocky in his behavior, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore Henry’s not taking the piss constantly. Game-wise he has input – he’s no fool. I believe at times it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s clever and great to have in the squad.”
Hardly any managers would claim to have having a bromance with a colleague, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with Sam Vesty.
“Sam and I possess an interest around various topics,” he notes. “We maintain a book club. He aims to discover all aspects, wants to know everything, aims to encounter different things, and I believe I’m the similar.
“We converse on many things beyond the game: movies, reading, thoughts, art. When we faced our French rivals previously, the landmark was undergoing restoration, so we had a brief exploration.”
One more date in Gall is coming up: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the English competition will be brief because the Champions Cup intervenes next week. Pau, in the shadow of the Pyrenees, are the opening fixture on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club arrive at a week later.
“I’m not going to be overconfident to the extent to {
