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Northampton isn't exactly the most tropical location in the world, but its club provides a great deal of romance and adventure.

In a place renowned for boot‑making, you would think boot work to be the Northampton's main approach. Yet under leader Phil Dowson, the team in green, black and gold opt to keep ball in hand.

Even though embodying a typically British community, they exhibit a panache associated with the best French masters of expansive play.

Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have won the domestic league and advanced far in the Champions Cup – beaten by their Gallic opponents in the previous campaign's decider and ousted by Leinster in a last-four clash earlier.

They currently top the league standings after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to their West Country rivals on the weekend as the sole undefeated team, seeking a first win at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 top-flight fixtures for multiple clubs in total, always planned to be a coach.

“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he states. “However as you get older, you comprehend how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the real world is like. I worked briefly at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You make the journey a few times, and it was challenging – you grasp what you do and don’t have.”

Discussions with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder led to a position at the Saints. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson guides a team progressively crammed with global stars: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles were selected for England facing the New Zealand two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a profound impact as a substitute in the national team's successful series while the fly-half, eventually, will assume the pivotal position.

Is the rise of this exceptional group because of the Saints’ culture, or is it luck?

“It's a bit of both,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to Chris Boyd, who thrust them into action, and we had challenging moments. But the experience they had as a group is certainly one of the factors they are so tight and so talented.”

Dowson also mentions his predecessor, another predecessor at their stadium, as a significant mentor. “It was my good fortune to be coached by highly engaging people,” he adds. “Jim had a big impact on my professional journey, my training methods, how I interact with people.”

Saints execute appealing football, which was clearly evident in the instance of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was a member of the opposing team overcome in the continental tournament in last season when Tommy Freeman notched a hat-trick. He was impressed to such an extent to reverse the trend of English talent heading across the Channel.

“A friend phoned me and stated: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘We lack the funds for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He desires a fresh start, for the chance to challenge himself,’ my contact told me. That intrigued us. We had a conversation with Belleau and his language skills was incredible, he was articulate, he had a sense of humour.

“We questioned: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He said to be guided, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and away from the French league. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he has been. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson comments the young Henry Pollock brings a particular enthusiasm. Has he encountered anyone like him? “No,” Dowson responds. “Each person is individual but Henry is distinct and special in many ways. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”

Pollock’s sensational score against Leinster previously showcased his freakish skill, but some of his demonstrative on-field antics have resulted in allegations of cockiness.

“At times comes across as cocky in his behavior, but he’s far from it,” Dowson clarifies. “And Pollock is not taking the piss the whole time. Game-wise he has contributions – he’s no fool. I believe sometimes it’s portrayed that he’s only a character. But he’s intelligent and a positive influence to have around.”

Hardly any managers would admit to having a bromance with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with Sam Vesty.

“Together share an curiosity regarding various topics,” he notes. “We run a reading group. He wants to see various elements, aims to learn all there is, wants to experience different things, and I think I’m the alike.

“We discuss lots of subjects outside the game: movies, books, thoughts, art. When we faced the Parisian club previously, the landmark was under renovation, so we had a little wander around.”

One more date in France is coming up: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the domestic league will be short-lived because the Champions Cup takes over next week. Their next opponents, in the vicinity of the mountain range, are the initial challenge on matchday before the Pretoria-based club arrive at soon after.

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