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This English town may not be the most exotic destination in the world, but its squad delivers plenty of thrills and drama.

In a place renowned for shoe production, you could anticipate kicking to be the Northampton's primary strategy. Yet under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in the club's hues choose to keep ball in hand.

Even though playing for a typically British community, they showcase a panache typical of the greatest Gallic exponents of expansive play.

After Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have won the Premiership and progressed well in the continental tournament – beaten by Bordeaux-Bègles in the ultimate match and knocked out by the Irish province in a last-four clash before that.

They currently top the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and travel to their West Country rivals on Saturday as the only unbeaten side, seeking a initial success at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who played 262 top-flight matches for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, always planned to be a manager.

“As a professional, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “However as you mature, you understand how much you love the game, and what the everyday life is like. I worked briefly at a financial institution doing a trial period. You do the commute a few times, and it was challenging – you grasp what you have going for you.”

Conversations with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a position at Northampton. Move forward a decade and Dowson guides a team ever more packed with national team players: key individuals started for the national side against the All Blacks two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a major effect off the bench in England’s successful series while Fin Smith, in time, will assume the fly-half role.

Is the rise of this exceptional generation due to the Saints’ culture, or is it fortune?

“This is a bit of both,” comments Dowson. “I’d credit Chris Boyd, who thrust them into action, and we had some tough days. But the exposure they had as a unit is definitely one of the causes they are so united and so talented.”

Dowson also mentions his predecessor, an earlier coach at their stadium, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be guided by really interesting people,” he adds. “Mallinder had a big impact on my professional journey, my training methods, how I manage others.”

Northampton demonstrate entertaining football, which was clearly evident in the case of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was a member of the Clermont XV beaten in the Champions Cup in last season when the winger registered a triple. The player admired the style to such an extent to go against the flow of UK players joining Top 14 sides.

“A friend rang me and said: ‘We know of a Gallic number ten who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson explains. “I said: ‘There's no budget for a imported playmaker. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for a fresh start, for the possibility to prove his worth,’ my contact told me. That interested me. We had a conversation with him and his English was incredible, he was eloquent, he had a sense of humour.

“We asked: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He answered to be guided, to be driven, to be outside his comfort zone and away from the domestic competition. I was saying: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he has been. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson comments the 20-year-old Henry Pollock offers a unique enthusiasm. Has he coached a player comparable? “No,” Dowson responds. “Each person is original but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in numerous aspects. He’s fearless to be himself.”

The player's sensational try against their opponents in the past campaign illustrated his unusual ability, but some of his animated during matches antics have brought allegations of cockiness.

“On occasion seems overconfident in his conduct, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson says. “And Henry’s not joking around the whole time. Tactically he has contributions – he’s no fool. I believe sometimes it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s clever and good fun in the squad.”

Few directors of rugby would describe themselves as sharing a close bond with a colleague, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with his co-coach.

“Sam and I have an interest around different things,” he notes. “We maintain a book club. He wants to see everything, aims to learn everything, aims to encounter varied activities, and I think I’m the alike.

“We discuss lots of subjects away from the sport: movies, books, concepts, art. When we played our French rivals in the past season, Notre-Dame was undergoing restoration, so we had a brief exploration.”

A further date in Gall is approaching: Northampton’s return with the domestic league will be temporary because the continental event kicks in shortly. The French side, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are up first on matchday before the Pretoria-based club visit the following weekend.

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