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Phil Dowson
Photo: Charlie / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

Northampton Saints Director of Rugby

Phil Dowson

Role
Director of Rugby
Team
Northampton Saints
Nationality
English
Age
45
In charge since
Jul 2022
Matches
40
Record W-D-L
28-1-11
Win rate
70.0%
Latest news

Record in our match database since Sep 2025

as of
  • 40 Matches
  • 28 Won
  • 1 Drawn
  • 11 Lost
  • 70.0% Win rate

Phil Dowson has overseen 40 completed Northampton Saints matches in our database since September 2025 — 28 won, 1 drawn, 11 lost. That is a 70.0% win rate, with 1511 points scored and 1265 conceded.

Records are computed from the WeTalkRugby match database and cover matches we hold data for within this tenure. They are not an official all-time record.

Record by competition

— means no data from the provider
Phil Dowson, record by competition in our match database
CompetitionPWDLWin %PFPA
All matches · Northampton Saints All competitions402811170.0%15111265
Premiership Sep 2025 – Oct 202623181478.3%920699
Premiership Rugby Cup Sep 2025 – Sep 20261160554.5%345372
Champions Cup Dec 2025 – Apr 2026640266.7%246194

Last five matches

  1. Won v Bath Rugby 71–48 Premiership ·
  2. Lost v Bristol Bears 26–41 Premiership ·
  3. Won v NewCastle RedBulls 59–26 Premiership ·
  4. Lost v Harlequins 14–29 Premiership Rugby Cup ·
  5. Lost v Saracens 42–96 Premiership Rugby Cup ·

Every match in our database

40 matches
Premiership 23P · 18W · 1D · 4L
  1. Won v Bath Rugby 71–48
  2. Lost v Bristol Bears 26–41
  3. Won v NewCastle RedBulls 59–26
  4. Won v Exeter Chiefs 26–17
  5. Won v Leicester Tigers 45–31
  6. Lost v Harlequins 31–38
  7. Won v Gloucester Rugby 36–32
  8. Won v Bristol Bears 94–33
  9. Lost v Leicester Tigers 17–41
  10. Won v Bath Rugby 41–38
  11. Won v Exeter Chiefs 35–28
  12. Won v Saracens 21–17
  13. Won v NewCastle RedBulls 28–27
  14. Won v Sale Sharks 43–29
  15. Won v Harlequins 66–21
  16. Won v Bath Rugby 41–21
  17. Won v Sale Sharks 47–21
  18. Lost v Bristol Bears 12–46
  19. Won v Saracens 43–31
  20. Won v NewCastle RedBulls 36–19
  21. Won v Leicester Tigers 32–26
  22. Won v Gloucester Rugby 37–35
  23. Drawn v Exeter Chiefs 33–33
Premiership Rugby Cup 11P · 6W · 0D · 5L
  1. Lost v Harlequins 14–29
  2. Lost v Saracens 42–96
  3. Lost v Exeter Chiefs 14–31
  4. Won v Saracens 35–33
  5. Won v NewCastle RedBulls 49–21
  6. Won v Harlequins 40–24
  7. Won v Leicester Tigers 40–22
  8. Lost v Leicester Tigers 22–34
  9. Lost v NewCastle RedBulls 14–31
  10. Won v Harlequins 26–17
  11. Won v Saracens 49–34
Champions Cup 6P · 4W · 0D · 2L
  1. Lost v Bath Rugby 41–43
  2. Won v Castres 49–41
  3. Won v Scarlets 43–28
  4. Lost v Bordeaux Bègles 28–50
  5. Won v Bulls 50–5
  6. Won v Pau 35–27

Career

  • Northampton Saints Director of Rugby 2022– 40 matches in our data

Honours

  • Gallagher Premiership (Northampton Saints) 2024, 2026

About Phil Dowson

Phil Dowson is the director of rugby at Northampton Saints, a two-time Premiership winner whose side plays the most attack-minded rugby in the league.

Phil Dowson is Director of Rugby at Northampton Saints and has now won two Premiership titles in three seasons, in 2024 and again in June 2026.

Born in October 1981, he was a back-row forward, mainly at number 8, who played for Newcastle Falcons, Worcester and Northampton, winning the 2014 Premiership with Saints as a player. He won four England caps in 2012 and captained the side against the Barbarians.

Up through the club

He joined Northampton’s coaching staff in summer 2017 as an assistant under Chris Boyd and stepped up to Director of Rugby for the 2022–23 season when Boyd moved to an advisory role, promoted alongside Sam Vesty. He signed a new deal in early 2024 with Vesty and James Craig.

The Saints identity

Dowson’s Northampton play the most expansive, high-tempo, offload-heavy rugby in England — a deliberate identity rather than a by-product of the personnel. He has built it around a homegrown core including Fin Smith, Tommy Freeman, Alex Mitchell, George Hendy and Henry Pollock, and was named Premiership Director of Rugby of the Season.

Saints beat Exeter 26–17 in the 2026 final to reclaim the title, and open 2026–27 as defending champions.

As a player Back-row forward, mainly at number 8. Newcastle Falcons, Worcester and Northampton, winning the 2014 Premiership with Saints as a player. Four England caps in 2012.

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Frequently asked questions

Who is the director of rugby of Northampton Saints?

Phil Dowson is the director of rugby of Northampton Saints.

When did Phil Dowson take charge?

Phil Dowson took over at Northampton Saints in July 2022, around 4 years ago.

What is Phil Dowson's record?

From 40 matches in our database: 28 wins, 1 draws and 11 defeats — a 70.0% win rate.

What nationality is Phil Dowson?

Phil Dowson is English.

How old is Phil Dowson?

Phil Dowson is 45 years old.

What has Phil Dowson won?

Honours include: Gallagher Premiership (Northampton Saints) (2026), Gallagher Premiership (Northampton Saints) (2024).