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This English town is hardly the most exotic location on the planet, but its squad provides plenty of excitement and passion.

In a city known for boot‑making, you would think boot work to be the Saints’ modus operandi. However under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in green, black and gold choose to run with the ball.

Despite embodying a typically British location, they showcase a flair associated with the greatest French masters of attacking rugby.

After Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have won the domestic league and progressed well in the Champions Cup – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in the ultimate match and ousted by Leinster in a last-four clash previously.

They sit atop the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and travel to their West Country rivals on matchday as the just one without a loss, chasing a maiden victory at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who played 262 elite fixtures for multiple clubs in total, always planned to be a manager.

“When I played, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “However as you mature, you realise how much you love the rugby, and what the everyday life looks like. I worked briefly at a financial institution doing work experience. You travel to work a several occasions, and it was tough – you realise what you do and don’t have.”

Conversations with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a position at Northampton. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson manages a team increasingly filled with national team players: key individuals 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 perfect autumn while the number ten, down the line, will take over the fly-half role.

Is the emergence of this outstanding group attributable to the team's ethos, or is it fortune?

“It is a bit of both,” says Dowson. “I’d credit Chris Boyd, who basically just threw them in, and we had difficult periods. But the exposure they had as a group is certainly one of the reasons they are so united and so skilled.”

Dowson also cites Mallinder, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be coached by highly engaging individuals,” he adds. “He had a significant influence on my rugby life, my coaching, how I deal with people.”

The team play appealing football, which became obvious in the instance of Anthony Belleau. The import was involved with the Clermont XV beaten in the European competition in April when the winger notched a triple. Belleau was impressed enough to buck the pattern of British stars moving to France.

“A friend phoned me and said: ‘There’s a Gallic number ten who’s looking for a team,’” Dowson explains. “My response was: ‘There's no funds for a overseas star. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for new challenges, for the chance to test himself,’ my contact informed me. That caught my attention. We met with Anthony and his English was incredible, he was eloquent, he had a sense of humour.

“We asked: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He responded to be coached, to be challenged, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the domestic competition. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he has been. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson comments the emerging Henry Pollock brings a particular enthusiasm. Has he encountered a player like him? “No,” Dowson replies. “Each person is original but Henry is different and unique in numerous aspects. He’s unafraid to be authentic.”

His spectacular try against the Irish side in the past campaign illustrated his freakish talent, but various his animated on-field antics have brought accusations of overconfidence.

“At times comes across as arrogant in his behavior, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore Henry’s being serious all the time. In terms of strategy he has contributions – he’s a smart player. I believe sometimes it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s bright and great to have in the squad.”

Not many managers would describe themselves as sharing a close bond with a head coach, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with Vesty.

“Together share an curiosity about diverse subjects,” he notes. “We have a literary circle. He aims to discover all aspects, aims to learn each detail, wants to experience different things, and I feel like I’m the similar.

“We discuss lots of topics beyond rugby: films, reading, ideas, creativity. When we faced Stade [Français] in the past season, the landmark was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

One more match in the French nation is coming up: The Saints' comeback with the Prem will be brief because the European tournament intervenes soon. The French side, in the shadow of the Pyrenees, are the opening fixture on Sunday week before the Bulls visit a week later.

“I refuse to be overconfident enough to {