Northampton Director of Rugby Phil Dowson: ‘Banking Was a Difficult Experience’
Northampton isn't exactly the most exotic location globally, but its rugby union team delivers an abundance of excitement and passion.
In a place known for shoe production, you might expect punting to be the Northampton's main approach. But under leader Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold prefer to run with the ball.
Although representing a distinctly UK community, they exhibit a flair typical of the best Gallic practitioners of champagne rugby.
After Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the English top flight and gone deep in the Champions Cup – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and knocked out by the Irish province in a penultimate round before that.
They currently top the competition ladder after four wins and a draw and head to their West Country rivals on matchday as the sole undefeated team, chasing a initial success at Bristol's home since 2021.
It would be natural to think Dowson, who played 262 top-flight fixtures for various teams in total, always planned to be a coach.
“As a professional, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “But as you mature, you realise how much you appreciate the game, and what the everyday life entails. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing an internship. You travel to work a few times, and it was difficult – you grasp what you do and don’t have.”
Discussions with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a job at the Saints. Fast-forward eight years and Dowson guides a team progressively crammed with national team players: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles were selected for the national side against the New Zealand two weeks ago.
An emerging talent also had a profound impact off the bench in the national team's successful series while the fly-half, eventually, will take over the pivotal position.
Is the development of this remarkable group due to the team's ethos, or is it chance?
“It is a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “I’d credit an ex-coach, who thrust them into action, and we had some tough days. But the exposure they had as a unit is definitely one of the causes they are so close-knit and so talented.”
Dowson also mentions Jim Mallinder, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a major influence. “I’ve been fortunate to be mentored by highly engaging individuals,” he adds. “Jim had a big impact on my professional journey, my coaching, how I interact with individuals.”
The team demonstrate attractive rugby, which became obvious in the instance of their new signing. The Frenchman was part of the French club overcome in the Champions Cup in April when Tommy Freeman registered a hat-trick. He liked what he saw to such an extent to reverse the trend of UK players moving to France.
“An associate called me and remarked: ‘We've found a fly-half from France who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘There's no funds for a imported playmaker. A different option will have to wait.’
‘He desires experience, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my mate said. That caught my attention. We had a conversation with Anthony and his English was incredible, he was eloquent, he had a sense of humour.
“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be guided, to be pushed, to be in a new environment and away from the domestic competition. I was like: ‘Join us, you’re a great person.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”
Dowson states the emerging the flanker provides a unique energy. Does he know an individual comparable? “No,” Dowson replies. “Everyone’s unique but Henry is unusual and remarkable in numerous aspects. He’s unafraid to be authentic.”
His sensational score against the Irish side in the past campaign illustrated his unusual ability, but some of his animated in-game actions have led to claims of cockiness.
“He sometimes comes across as arrogant in his conduct, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson clarifies. “Plus he's not taking the piss constantly. Game-wise he has input – he’s not a clown. I feel on occasion it’s depicted that he’s just this idiot. But he’s bright and a positive influence in the squad.”
Hardly any managers would claim to have enjoying a tight friendship with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with his co-coach.
“We both possess an interest regarding diverse subjects,” he says. “We maintain a book club. He desires to explore everything, seeks to understand all there is, aims to encounter varied activities, and I think I’m the same.
“We talk about numerous topics beyond the game: cinema, reading, ideas, creativity. When we faced the Parisian club in the past season, the landmark was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”
One more match in France is looming: Northampton’s return with the English competition will be temporary because the European tournament kicks in shortly. Pau, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are up first on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club arrive at the following weekend.
“I won't be arrogant enough to {