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This English town is hardly the most tropical spot in the world, but its squad provides a great deal of thrills and drama.

In a city renowned for shoe production, you would think kicking to be the Saints’ modus operandi. Yet under leader Phil Dowson, the team in the club's hues choose to keep ball in hand.

Even though playing for a quintessentially English town, they display a flair typical of the greatest French masters of expansive play.

Since Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the domestic league and progressed well in the European competition – beaten by their Gallic opponents in the ultimate match and eliminated by the Irish province in a semi-final earlier.

They currently top the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and visit Bristol on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, aiming for a maiden victory at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who featured in 262 top-flight fixtures for multiple clubs combined, had long intended to be a coach.

“As a professional, I never seriously considered it,” he states. “Yet as you get older, you understand how much you appreciate the rugby, and what the normal employment looks like. I spent some time at a banking firm doing work experience. You travel to work a few times, and it was tough – you see what you possess and lack.”

Conversations with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a role at the Saints. Jump ahead eight years and Dowson manages a team increasingly packed with global stars: prominent figures started for the Red Rose versus the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a significant influence off the bench in England’s perfect autumn while Fin Smith, eventually, will take over the pivotal position.

Is the emergence of this exceptional generation because of the club's environment, or is it chance?

“It is a mix of each,” says Dowson. “I’d credit an ex-coach, who gave them opportunities, and we had challenging moments. But the exposure they had as a unit is undoubtedly one of the reasons they are so tight and so gifted.”

Dowson also cites his predecessor, an earlier coach at Franklin’s Gardens, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be coached by exceptionally insightful personalities,” he notes. “Jim had a big impact on my professional journey, my management style, how I interact with people.”

Northampton demonstrate appealing football, which became obvious in the example of Anthony Belleau. The import was involved with the French club defeated in the European competition in April when Tommy Freeman scored a triple. Belleau liked what he saw enough to reverse the trend of British stars moving to France.

“A mate called me and said: ‘We've found a fly-half from France who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson explains. “I said: ‘There's no funds for a overseas star. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for new challenges, for the chance to challenge himself,’ my contact told me. That intrigued us. We had a conversation with Belleau and his English was incredible, he was articulate, he had a sense of humour.

“We inquired: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He said to be coached, to be challenged, to be in a new environment and beyond the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he has been. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson states the emerging the flanker offers a unique vitality. Does he know an individual comparable? “Not really,” Dowson answers. “All players are individual but Pollock is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s fearless to be authentic.”

His sensational touchdown against Leinster in the past campaign demonstrated his exceptional skill, but some of his animated on-field antics have led to accusations of arrogance.

“He sometimes seems arrogant in his behavior, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson says. “And Pollock is not taking the piss the whole time. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s not a clown. I feel at times it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s intelligent and great to have within the team.”

Hardly any directors of rugby would admit to having a bromance with a head coach, but that is how Dowson characterizes his relationship with his co-coach.

“We both possess an curiosity regarding diverse subjects,” he notes. “We have a book club. He desires to explore various elements, wants to know all there is, desires to try different things, and I think I’m the similar.

“We talk about numerous topics away from the game: movies, literature, thoughts, art. When we met our French rivals previously, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

One more date in France is coming up: Northampton’s return with the domestic league will be temporary because the Champions Cup takes over next week. Pau, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are up first on matchday before the South African team travel to the following weekend.

“I’m not going to be presumptuous enough to {