Saints Director of Rugby Phil Dowson: ‘Banking Was a Difficult Experience’
This English town is hardly the most exotic location globally, but its rugby union team delivers an abundance of excitement and passion.
In a city famous for footwear manufacturing, you would think punting to be the Saints’ modus operandi. Yet under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the team in the club's hues choose to retain possession.
Despite representing a typically British location, they display a panache synonymous with the finest French practitioners of expansive play.
Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have won the domestic league and progressed well in the Champions Cup – defeated by Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a penultimate round previously.
They sit atop the competition ladder after four wins and a draw and head to Ashton Gate on the weekend as the sole undefeated team, chasing a first win at Bristol's home since 2021.
It would be typical to think Dowson, who featured in 262 elite fixtures for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, consistently aimed to be a manager.
“When I played, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “But as you mature, you realise how much you appreciate the game, and what the normal employment entails. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing work experience. You do the commute a several occasions, and it was challenging – you grasp what you possess and lack.”
Talks with former mentors led to a role at the Saints. Jump ahead eight years and Dowson leads a team ever more packed with global stars: prominent figures started for the national side against the New Zealand two weeks ago.
Henry Pollock also had a major effect off the bench in the national team's successful series while Fin Smith, eventually, will take over the fly-half role.
Is the development of this exceptional cohort due to the Saints’ culture, or is it luck?
“This is a combination of the two,” states Dowson. “I’d credit Chris Boyd, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the experience they had as a unit is certainly one of the factors they are so united and so gifted.”
Dowson also mentions Mallinder, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be coached by really interesting people,” he notes. “Jim had a big impact on my professional journey, my management style, how I deal with people.”
Northampton play entertaining football, which proved literally true in the case of their new signing. The Frenchman was involved with the French club beaten in the Champions Cup in April when the winger scored a triple. Belleau liked what he saw sufficiently to go against the flow of UK players moving to France.
“A friend phoned me and stated: ‘We know of a Gallic number ten who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson explains. “My response was: ‘We don’t have money for a French fly-half. A different option will have to wait.’
‘He desires experience, for the possibility to prove his worth,’ my mate told me. That caught my attention. We had a conversation with him and his communication was incredible, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.
“We asked: ‘What do you want from this?’ He answered to be coached, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and away from the French league. I was saying: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re blessed to have him.”
Dowson says the young Henry Pollock provides a specific vitality. Does he know anyone similar? “No,” Dowson responds. “Everyone’s unique but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in many ways. He’s fearless to be who he is.”
His spectacular score against the Irish side previously showcased his exceptional talent, but various his demonstrative on-field antics have resulted in allegations of overconfidence.
“At times comes across as cocky in his conduct, but he’s far from it,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore Pollock is not joking around the whole time. In terms of strategy he has input – he’s no fool. I believe on occasion it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s intelligent and great to have in the squad.”
Few directors of rugby would describe themselves as enjoying a tight friendship with a assistant, but that is how Dowson characterizes his connection with Vesty.
“Together have an interest regarding diverse subjects,” he says. “We maintain a literary circle. He wants to see all aspects, wants to know all there is, wants to experience varied activities, and I think I’m the similar.
“We discuss lots of things beyond rugby: films, reading, concepts, art. When we faced the Parisian club in the past season, the landmark was being done up, so we had a little wander around.”
A further date in Gall is approaching: The Saints' return with the English competition will be brief because the continental event takes over shortly. The French side, in the foothills of the mountain range, are the opening fixture on Sunday week before the South African team visit soon after.
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