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Northampton may not be the most glamorous destination in the world, but its club offers an abundance of thrills and drama.

In a town known for footwear manufacturing, you would think boot work to be the Northampton's main approach. But under leader Phil Dowson, the squad in their distinctive colors prefer to keep ball in hand.

Although playing for a typically British community, they showcase a style typical of the finest French exponents of expansive play.

From the time Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have secured the domestic league and progressed well in the Champions Cup – losing to a French side in last season’s final and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a semi-final previously.

They sit atop the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and head to Ashton Gate on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, seeking a initial success at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who played 262 elite games for various teams altogether, consistently aimed to be a coach.

“As a professional, I hadn't given it much thought,” he states. “However as you get older, you realise how much you love the game, and what the normal employment entails. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You do the commute a several occasions, and it was tough – you grasp what you possess and lack.”

Conversations with club legends culminated in a job at Northampton. Move forward eight years and Dowson leads a roster ever more crammed with national team players: key individuals lined up for England versus the New Zealand two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a profound impact as a substitute in the national team's perfect autumn while Fin Smith, in time, will inherit the fly-half role.

Is the emergence of this outstanding group due to the club's environment, or is it luck?

“It is a combination of the two,” states Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, 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 tight and so talented.”

Dowson also cites Mallinder, another predecessor at their stadium, as a significant mentor. “It was my good fortune to be coached by highly engaging people,” he adds. “Jim had a major effect on my career, my training methods, how I interact with others.”

Saints execute appealing football, which proved literally true in the case of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was a member of the opposing team defeated in the continental tournament in April when the winger notched a hat-trick. Belleau admired the style sufficiently to reverse the trend of English talent joining Top 14 sides.

“An associate called me and stated: ‘There’s a fly-half from France who’s looking for a side,’” Dowson recalls. “I replied: ‘We don’t have funds for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for new challenges, for the possibility to test himself,’ my friend said. That intrigued us. We met with Belleau and his language skills was excellent, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.

“We asked: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He said to be coached, to be driven, to be outside his comfort zone and outside the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he turned out to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the emerging Henry Pollock provides a specific vitality. Does he know a player comparable? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “Everyone’s unique but Pollock is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s fearless to be himself.”

His breathtaking try against their opponents last season demonstrated his freakish skill, but various his animated in-game behavior have led to claims of overconfidence.

“At times seems arrogant in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson says. “Plus he's not joking around constantly. Game-wise he has ideas – he’s not a clown. I feel sometimes it’s shown that he’s merely a joker. But he’s clever and a positive influence within the team.”

Few coaches would claim to have sharing a close bond with a colleague, but that is how Dowson frames his partnership with Vesty.

“Together share an interest about different things,” he explains. “We maintain a literary circle. He desires to explore everything, wants to know each detail, aims to encounter new experiences, and I think I’m the alike.

“We talk about many subjects away from the sport: cinema, books, ideas, art. When we played the Parisian club previously, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a quick look.”

A further date in France is coming up: The Saints' reacquaintance with the domestic league will be short-lived because the European tournament kicks in next week. Pau, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are the opening fixture on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club travel to soon after.

“I refuse to be arrogant sufficiently to {