Saints Coach Phil Dowson: ‘Banking Was a Difficult Experience’
This English town is hardly the most glamorous location on the planet, but its rugby union team offers plenty of romance and adventure.
In a place famous for footwear manufacturing, you might expect kicking to be the Northampton's primary strategy. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the team in green, black and gold opt to retain possession.
Despite playing for a quintessentially English community, they display a panache synonymous with the best French masters of champagne rugby.
Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the Premiership and gone deep in the Champions Cup – defeated by a French side in the ultimate match and eliminated by the Irish province in a last-four clash previously.
They sit atop the league standings after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to Ashton Gate on Saturday as the sole undefeated team, chasing a maiden victory at Ashton Gate since 2021.
It would be expected to think Dowson, who featured in 262 premier fixtures for various teams combined, had long intended to be a coach.
“As a professional, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “However as you get older, you comprehend how much you love the sport, and what the real world looks like. I worked briefly at a financial institution doing an internship. You make the journey a few times, and it was challenging – you grasp what you do and don’t have.”
Discussions with club legends culminated in a position at Northampton. Move forward a decade and Dowson leads a team ever more filled with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles lined up for England facing 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 number ten, eventually, will take over the fly-half role.
Is the rise of this outstanding group due to the club's environment, or is it chance?
“It is a combination of the two,” states Dowson. “I would acknowledge an ex-coach, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the exposure they had as a unit is undoubtedly one of the factors they are so close-knit and so talented.”
Dowson also mentions his predecessor, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a key figure. “I’ve been fortunate to be coached by really interesting personalities,” he adds. “Jim had a big impact on my rugby life, my training methods, how I interact with individuals.”
The team execute appealing the game, which proved literally true in the case of their new signing. The import was involved with the opposing team beaten in the Champions Cup in the spring when Freeman scored a three tries. He liked what he saw to such an extent to reverse the trend of English talent joining Top 14 sides.
“An associate phoned me and said: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s in search of a club,’” Dowson explains. “My response was: ‘We don’t have funds for a overseas star. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’
‘He’s looking for a fresh start, for the chance to prove his worth,’ my friend said. That caught my attention. We spoke to Belleau and his language skills was excellent, he was eloquent, he had a witty personality.
“We questioned: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He said to be guided, to be pushed, to be facing unfamiliar situations and away from the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Join us, you’re a great person.’ And he proved to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”
Dowson comments the emerging the flanker provides a unique enthusiasm. Has he coached an individual like him? “Never,” Dowson replies. “All players are original but he is different and unique in numerous aspects. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”
The player's spectacular try against the Irish side in the past campaign showcased his exceptional ability, but a few of his demonstrative in-game antics have resulted in accusations of arrogance.
“On occasion comes across as arrogant in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson says. “Plus he's being serious constantly. In terms of strategy he has contributions – he’s not a clown. I feel at times it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and good fun within the team.”
Hardly any coaches would admit to enjoying a tight friendship with a colleague, but that is how Dowson characterizes his connection with his co-coach.
“Together have an curiosity about different things,” he explains. “We have a reading group. He desires to explore all aspects, aims to learn all there is, aims to encounter varied activities, and I believe I’m the same.
“We discuss numerous topics beyond rugby: movies, reading, thoughts, creativity. When we faced the Parisian club in the past season, the cathedral was under renovation, so we had a little wander around.”
A further match in Gall is looming: Northampton’s return with the Prem will be brief because the European tournament kicks in next week. The French side, in the shadow of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on Sunday week before the Bulls visit soon after.
“I’m not going to be arrogant to the extent to {
