Saints Director of Rugby Phil Dowson: ‘I Tried Working for a Bank – It Was Tough’

Northampton may not be the most glamorous spot globally, but its club offers an abundance of romance and adventure.

In a place renowned for shoe production, you might expect punting to be the Northampton's modus operandi. Yet under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors prefer to run with the ball.

Despite embodying a typically British town, they showcase a style typical of the finest French masters of attacking rugby.

Since Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have won the English top flight and gone deep in the Champions Cup – beaten by a French side in the ultimate match and eliminated by Dublin-based club in a penultimate round earlier.

They sit atop the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and head to Ashton Gate on matchday as the sole undefeated team, chasing a maiden victory at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who played 262 premier games for various teams in total, always planned to be a trainer.

“During my career, I never seriously considered it,” he remarks. “Yet as you get older, you understand how much you love the game, and what the real world looks like. I spent some time at a banking firm doing a trial period. You do the commute a few times, and it was difficult – you realise what you do and don’t have.”

Talks with club legends led to a job at Northampton. Jump ahead several seasons and Dowson leads a roster progressively crammed with internationals: prominent figures were selected for the Red Rose facing the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a significant influence from the replacements in the national team's perfect autumn while Fin Smith, down the line, will take over the fly-half role.

Is the emergence of this outstanding cohort because of the team's ethos, or is it chance?

“It's a mix of each,” says Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who basically just threw them in, and we had difficult periods. But the experience they had as a group is definitely one of the causes they are so united and so gifted.”

Dowson also namechecks his predecessor, a former boss at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be mentored by exceptionally insightful people,” he adds. “Jim had a significant influence on my career, my coaching, how I deal with others.”

Saints execute entertaining football, which was clearly evident in the example of their new signing. The import was involved with the opposing team defeated in the Champions Cup in the spring when Tommy Freeman registered a triple. He liked what he saw enough to buck the pattern of British stars joining Top 14 sides.

“A mate rang me and said: ‘There’s a fly-half from France who’s looking for a side,’” Dowson explains. “I said: ‘We don’t have funds for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He wants a fresh start, for the opportunity to challenge himself,’ my contact told me. That intrigued us. We met with Belleau and his communication was incredible, he was eloquent, he had a witty personality.

“We questioned: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He responded to be guided, to be challenged, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the Top 14. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he has been. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson says the emerging the flanker provides a specific vitality. Has he coached a player similar? “No,” Dowson answers. “Each person is unique but Henry is distinct and special in many ways. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”

The player's breathtaking try against Leinster in the past campaign illustrated his exceptional talent, but a few of his animated in-game actions have led to claims of arrogance.

“He sometimes appears cocky in his behavior, but he’s not,” Dowson asserts. “Furthermore Henry’s not joking around the whole time. Game-wise he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I believe sometimes it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s bright and a positive influence to have around.”

Hardly any coaches would describe themselves as sharing a close bond with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with his co-coach.

“Sam and I possess an inquisitiveness around diverse subjects,” he explains. “We maintain a book club. He desires to explore everything, seeks to understand each detail, wants to experience new experiences, and I believe I’m the alike.

“We talk about lots of things beyond the sport: films, literature, thoughts, art. When we faced our French rivals in the past season, the landmark was being done up, so we had a little wander around.”

Another fixture in France is coming up: The Saints' reacquaintance with the domestic league will be brief because the continental event kicks in next week. Their next opponents, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are up first on Sunday week before the Bulls travel to a week later.

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