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This English town isn't exactly the most glamorous location globally, but its squad delivers an abundance of excitement and passion.

In a city famous for footwear manufacturing, you might expect punting to be the Northampton's main approach. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in the club's hues prefer to retain possession.

Even though embodying a typically British community, they showcase a flair typical of the best Gallic exponents of champagne rugby.

From the time Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have secured the Premiership and progressed well in the European competition – beaten by Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and eliminated by the Irish province in a semi-final earlier.

They sit atop the league standings after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to Bristol on matchday as the just one without a loss, seeking a maiden victory at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who played 262 top-flight fixtures for multiple clubs in total, had long intended to be a coach.

“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he remarks. “However as you age, you realise how much you enjoy the sport, and what the real world is like. I worked briefly at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You do the commute a few times, and it was challenging – you realise what you possess and lack.”

Discussions with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder resulted in a position at the Saints. Jump ahead a decade and Dowson guides a team ever more filled with internationals: prominent figures lined up for the national side facing the New Zealand two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a major effect as a substitute in the national team's flawless campaign while the fly-half, eventually, will take over the pivotal position.

Is the development of this outstanding generation due to the Saints’ culture, or is it luck?

“It's a bit of both,” states Dowson. “My thanks go to Chris Boyd, who basically just threw them in, and we had some tough days. But the practice they had as a unit is definitely one of the causes they are so close-knit and so gifted.”

Dowson also namechecks Mallinder, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be coached by really interesting individuals,” he says. “Jim had a big impact on my career, my training methods, how I interact with people.”

The team demonstrate attractive the game, which became obvious in the instance of Anthony Belleau. The Frenchman was a member of the opposing team defeated in the European competition in last season when the winger notched a triple. The player was impressed sufficiently to buck the pattern of British stars heading across the Channel.

“A friend rang me and said: ‘We know of a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson recalls. “I replied: ‘We don’t have budget for a French fly-half. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He wants a fresh start, for the chance to prove his worth,’ my contact informed me. That intrigued us. We spoke to Anthony and his language skills was excellent, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.

“We questioned: ‘What do you want from this?’ He said to be trained, to be challenged, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the domestic competition. I was saying: ‘Join us, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he turned out to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson comments the young Henry Pollock brings a particular enthusiasm. Does he know a player similar? “No,” Dowson responds. “Everyone’s unique but he is unusual and remarkable in many ways. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”

His spectacular try against Leinster last season illustrated his unusual ability, but a few of his expressive during matches behavior have led to allegations of arrogance.

“At times appears overconfident in his behavior, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “And Pollock is being serious all the time. Game-wise he has input – he’s no fool. I think sometimes it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s bright and great to have within the team.”

Few directors of rugby would describe themselves as enjoying a tight friendship with a head coach, but that is how Dowson describes his partnership with Vesty.

“Together have an interest regarding different things,” he says. “We maintain a reading group. He desires to explore everything, aims to learn each detail, aims to encounter varied activities, and I think I’m the alike.

“We talk about many subjects beyond the game: films, literature, concepts, culture. When we played our French rivals previously, the landmark was being done up, so we had a little wander around.”

One more fixture in the French nation is approaching: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the English competition will be short-lived because the European tournament kicks in shortly. Pau, in the foothills of the border region, are the opening fixture on the coming weekend before the South African team visit soon after.

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