Phil Dowson’s Ambitious Vision for Northampton Saints in the New Premiership Season

Despite the captivating and at times distracting presence of a documentary crew filming scenes for an Amazon series about rugby union, Phil Dowson skillfully guided Northampton Saints into the Premiership play-offs for the second consecutive season. As they gear up to begin a new Premiership campaign, commencing with an away match against Sale Sharks on Sunday, Dowson, the former Saints player turned director of rugby, finds himself excited about the journey that lies ahead.

The challenge before Northampton Saints is no small feat. In recent seasons, they came agonizingly close to tasting victory in the play-off semi-finals, only to be denied by the likes of Leicester Tigers and Saracens, who eventually clinched the title. Now, under Dowson’s leadership, they are determined to reclaim the championship, a title they last held in 2014 under Jim Mallinder’s reign.

The Saints have not entered the new season without trials, having engaged in two thrilling encounters with Bath and Bristol in the Premiership Rugby Cup. They narrowly triumphed over Bath by a single point but experienced a tight 39-38 defeat at the hands of Bristol. Dowson is well aware of the areas that need improvement, with the focus primarily on defense. He acknowledges, “We have to be better in lots of different areas, particularly in our defense.”

The responsibility of tightening up the team’s defense now rests on coach Lee Radford, who made the transition from rugby league to replace Ian Vass. Changes in the squad, particularly in the pack, have also been a notable feature, with several departures and new arrivals. Flanker Tom Pearson, who made an impact with two tries in their recent win over Doncaster Knights, is among the newcomers.

When pondering the season’s landscape, Dowson remains open-minded about potential challengers to the title. He emphasizes the strength and depth of the competition, with some teams having made significant strides in the off-season. He notes that in a 10-team league, talent is more concentrated, making the competition even tougher.

Dowson’s passion for the game and his squad is evident, and he remains excited about the prospect of seeing his players in Saints shirts on match days. He also recognizes the importance of storytelling in the sport and acknowledges the unique appeal of narratives and characters in rugby. While the presence of cameras in meetings and the dressing room might be inconvenient, he believes it’s a necessary part of broadening the game’s appeal.

As the season unfolds, Dowson’s vision for Northampton Saints is one of determination and ambition, driven by a desire to reclaim the championship title and captivate both fans and newcomers to the sport. Rugby enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the twists and turns of what promises to be an exciting season.