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This English town isn't exactly the most glamorous destination globally, but its squad provides an abundance of thrills and drama.

In a place renowned for shoe production, you could anticipate kicking to be the Northampton's main approach. Yet under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold opt to keep ball in hand.

Although embodying a typically British location, they display a panache associated with the finest French practitioners of champagne rugby.

From the time Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have secured the Premiership and advanced far in the continental tournament – losing to their Gallic opponents in last season’s final and eliminated by the Irish province in a last-four clash earlier.

They currently top the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and visit their West Country rivals on the weekend as the just one without a loss, chasing 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 altogether, always planned to be a trainer.

“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “However as you age, you comprehend how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the normal employment entails. I spent some time at a banking firm doing an internship. You do the commute a multiple instances, and it was challenging – you see what you do and don’t have.”

Conversations with club legends led to a position at Northampton. Fast-forward eight years and Dowson guides a squad progressively crammed with internationals: key individuals lined up for the Red Rose versus the All Blacks two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a significant influence as a substitute in the national team's perfect autumn while the fly-half, eventually, will take over the fly-half role.

Is the development of this remarkable group attributable to the club's environment, or is it fortune?

“It is a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “My thanks go to the former director of rugby, who thrust them into action, and we had difficult periods. But the practice they had as a group is certainly one of the reasons they are so united and so talented.”

Dowson also namechecks his predecessor, another predecessor at their stadium, as a major influence. “I’ve been fortunate to be guided by highly engaging personalities,” he adds. “Mallinder had a big impact on my rugby life, my management style, how I manage others.”

The team execute appealing the game, which was clearly evident in the example of their new signing. The Gallic player was part of the French club defeated in the European competition in last season when Freeman scored a triple. Belleau liked what he saw sufficiently to reverse the trend of British stars moving to France.

“A friend phoned me and remarked: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s looking for a side,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘We lack the funds for a French fly-half. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He wants a fresh start, for the chance to test himself,’ my mate informed me. That intrigued us. We spoke to him and his communication was incredible, he was articulate, he had a funny side.

“We questioned: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He responded to be coached, to be driven, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the French league. I was thinking: ‘Join us, you’re a great person.’ And he has been. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson says the 20-year-old Henry Pollock brings a unique energy. Does he know a player comparable? “Not really,” Dowson answers. “All players are unique but Henry is distinct and special in many ways. He’s unafraid to be authentic.”

Pollock’s sensational score against their opponents previously demonstrated his unusual talent, but various his expressive on-field behavior have led to claims of overconfidence.

“At times comes across as overconfident in his actions, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson asserts. “Plus he's not taking the piss the whole time. Game-wise he has input – he’s a smart player. I feel on occasion it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s clever and good fun within the team.”

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

“Sam and I share an inquisitiveness about different things,” he says. “We maintain a literary circle. He desires to explore everything, wants to know everything, desires to try varied activities, and I feel like I’m the similar.

“We talk about lots of things away from rugby: cinema, reading, concepts, culture. When we faced our French rivals last year, the landmark was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

A further fixture in France is coming up: The Saints' return with the English competition will be brief because the Champions Cup kicks in soon. Their next opponents, in the shadow of the border region, are up first on Sunday week before the South African team travel to soon after.

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