Phil Dowson

Phil Dowson
Dowson in 2013
BornPhilip David Acton Dowson
(1981-10-01) 1 October 1981 (age 45)
Guildford, England
Height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight108 kg (17 st 0 lb)
SchoolSedbergh School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Number Eight, Flanker
Youth career
Wigton
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2001–2009 Newcastle Falcons 96 (45)
2009–2015 Northampton Saints 186 (140)
2015–2017 Worcester Warriors 37 (5)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2012 England 7 (0)
National sevens team
Years Team Comps
2005 England Hong Kong
Coaching career
Years Team
2017–2018 Northampton Saints (assistant)
2018–2022 Northampton Saints (forwards)
2022– Northampton Saints (Director of Rugby)

Phil Dowson (born 1 October 1981) is an English rugby union coach and former player. He is currently director of rugby at PREM Rugby club Northampton Saints.

He played for Worcester Warriors, Northampton Saints and Newcastle Falcons, as well as the England national team in a playing career spanning 16 seasons.

Dowson's position of choice was as a number 8 and he could also operate as a flanker.

Club career

Newcastle Falcons

In 2004 he was a member of Falcons’ Powergen Cup winning side at Twickenham, scoring a try after coming on as a replacement in the final. Dowson made over 130 appearances for the Falcons and captained the side for two seasons.

Northampton Saints

Dowson signed for the Northampton Saints from the Newcastle Falcons in the summer of 2009.

In 2014 Dowson played as a replacement as Northampton beat Saracens to win the Premiership.

Worcester Warriors

He signed for Worcester Warriors having made over 180 appearances for the Saints, in the 2015-16 season in the Aviva Premiership.

On 20 February 2017, Dowson announced his retirement from professional competition at the end of the season, where he rejoined his former club Northampton Saints as an assistant coach.

International career

Dowson represented the England Sevens team at the 2005 World Cup in Hong Kong. He was then selected for the 2005 Churchill Cup. He was called into the England Saxons side that defeated Ireland A on 1 February 2008.

Dowson represented England Saxons at the 2007 Churchill Cup and 2009 Churchill Cup.

In 2012, Dowson gained his first full international cap for England vs Scotland in the Six Nations. A further cap against Italy as well as substitute appearances against France and Ireland.

He was named as England captain for England's next match, although it was a non capped match, against the Barbarians which England went on to win 57–26.

Coaching career

Phil Dowson coached the England XV that faced the Barbarians in June 2019.

Honours

As a player

Newcastle Falcons
Northampton Saints

As a coach

Northampton Saints
Individual

References

  1. 1 2 "Newcastle 37–33 Sale". BBC. 17 April 2004. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  2. ↑ "Dowson leaves Falcons for Saints". BBC. 15 April 2009. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  3. ↑ "Premiership final: Saracens 20-24 Northampton Saints". BBC Sport. 31 May 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  4. ↑ "Worcester sign former England flanker Phil Dowson from Northampton Saints". BBC Sport. 18 February 2016.
  5. ↑ "Worcester Warriors former England no.8 Phil Dowson announces retirement to go into coaching position". BBC Sport. 20 February 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  6. ↑ "Dowson gets suited and booted for Rugby World Cup". RFU. 2 May 2009. Archived from the original on 20 November 2008. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  7. ↑ "Dowson enjoying step up to elite". ESPN Scrum. 19 June 2005. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  8. ↑ "England Saxons squad for Ireland A match". RFU. 23 January 2008. Archived from the original on 2 April 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2008.
  9. ↑ "Varndell shines in Saxons victory". BBC. 2 February 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2008.
  10. ↑ "England Saxons 17–13 NZ Maori". BBC. 2 June 2007. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  11. ↑ "Ireland A 49–22 England Saxons". BBC. 21 June 2009. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  12. ↑ "Phil Dowson to captain England against Barbarians". The Guardian. 23 May 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  13. ↑ Meagher, Gerard (2 June 2019). "England young guns Dombrandt and Smith shine in defeat of Barbarians". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  14. ↑ "Leinster 33-22 Northampton". BBC Sport. 20 May 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  15. ↑ "Amlin Challenge Cup final: Bath 16-30 Northampton". BBC Sport. 22 May 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  16. ↑ "Premiership final: Saracens 20-24 Northampton Saints". BBC Sport. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  17. ↑ "Aviva Premiership final: Leicester 37-17 Northampton". BBC Sport. 24 May 2013. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  18. ↑ "Northampton 30-24 Gloucester". 21 March 2010. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  19. ↑ "LV= Cup final: Exeter Chiefs 15-8 Northampton Saints". BBC Sport. 14 March 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  20. ↑ "Dowson: Saints 'good, but not good enough' in Cardiff Final | Northampton Saints". www.northamptonsaints.co.uk. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  21. ↑ "Dowson's 'huge joy and relief' as Saints clinch Gallagher Premiership title | Northampton Saints". www.northamptonsaints.co.uk. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  22. ↑ "Match Report: Saints 26 – 17 Chiefs | Northampton Saints". www.northamptonsaints.co.uk. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  23. ↑ "PREM Rugby | Premiership Rugby Awards: Phil Dowson named Director of Rugby of the Season". premiershiprugby.com. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  24. ↑ "Dowson named PREM DOR of the Season as Saints scoop up three awards | Northampton Saints". www.northamptonsaints.co.uk. Retrieved 22 June 2026.