🔗 Share this article

This English town is hardly the most glamorous location globally, but its club delivers plenty of thrills and drama.

In a city renowned for boot‑making, you might expect kicking to be the Northampton's primary strategy. Yet under head coach Phil Dowson, the side in their distinctive colors prefer to keep ball in hand.

Although representing a typically British town, they exhibit a flair synonymous with the finest French practitioners of attacking rugby.

From the time Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have won the English top flight and progressed well in the European competition – beaten by Bordeaux-Bègles in the ultimate match and ousted by Dublin-based club in a semi-final previously.

They currently top the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and travel to Bristol on matchday as the only unbeaten side, chasing a first win at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who played 262 elite fixtures for multiple clubs combined, always planned to be a trainer.

“During my career, I never seriously considered it,” he says. “However as you age, you comprehend how much you appreciate the sport, and what the normal employment looks like. I spent some time at a banking firm doing a trial period. You make the journey a multiple instances, and it was challenging – you see what you possess and lack.”

Discussions with club legends led to a role at Northampton. Jump ahead eight years and Dowson manages a squad ever more packed with national team players: prominent figures were selected for England facing the All Blacks two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a major effect off the bench in the national team's perfect autumn while the fly-half, down the line, will assume the pivotal position.

Is the development of this remarkable group due to the Saints’ culture, or is it fortune?

“It is a mix of each,” states Dowson. “I’d credit Chris Boyd, who basically just threw them in, and we had challenging moments. But the exposure they had as a group is certainly one of the factors they are so tight and so talented.”

Dowson also mentions Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be guided by highly engaging personalities,” he says. “Jim had a significant influence on my career, my management style, how I deal with individuals.”

The team execute attractive football, which became obvious in the case of the French fly-half. The Frenchman was a member of the Clermont XV overcome in the continental tournament in April when the winger registered a triple. He was impressed enough to buck the pattern of British stars heading across the Channel.

“An associate called me and remarked: ‘We've found a French 10 who’s seeking a side,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘We don’t have money for a French fly-half. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He desires new challenges, for the chance to test himself,’ my friend said. That interested me. We spoke to him and his English was outstanding, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He answered to be coached, to be challenged, to be facing unfamiliar situations and away from the domestic competition. I was saying: ‘Join us, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he has been. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson comments the young Pollock provides a specific enthusiasm. Has he encountered an individual similar? “Never,” Dowson answers. “Everyone’s original but Henry is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be authentic.”

The player's sensational score against their opponents in the past campaign showcased his unusual skill, but some of his demonstrative in-game antics have led to accusations of arrogance.

“On occasion comes across as arrogant in his conduct, but he’s far from it,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore Henry’s not taking the piss the whole time. Game-wise he has contributions – he’s a smart player. I feel at times it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s clever and good fun in the squad.”

Hardly any coaches would claim to have sharing a close bond with a head coach, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with his co-coach.

“Together have an inquisitiveness around diverse subjects,” he explains. “We have a reading group. He aims to discover everything, wants to know all there is, wants to experience varied activities, and I believe I’m the alike.

“We converse on many topics away from the game: movies, books, concepts, culture. When we met the Parisian club in the past season, the cathedral was under renovation, so we had a quick look.”

Another date in France is looming: Northampton’s comeback with the domestic league will be short-lived because the European tournament kicks in shortly. Pau, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, are up first on the coming weekend before the Pretoria-based club arrive at the following weekend.

“I’m not going to be overconfident enough to {