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This English town is hardly the most exotic location globally, but its club delivers a great deal of romance and adventure.

In a city known for shoe production, you might expect kicking to be the Northampton's modus operandi. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in their distinctive colors choose to retain possession.

Although representing a quintessentially English town, they showcase a panache associated with the finest French masters of champagne rugby.

After Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the domestic league and progressed well in the European competition – defeated by a French side in last season’s final and ousted by Dublin-based club in a last-four clash before that.

They sit atop the Prem table after four wins and a draw and visit Bristol on Saturday as the only unbeaten side, chasing a initial success at Ashton Gate since 2021.

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

“As a professional, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “But as you get older, you realise how much you appreciate the sport, and what the real world entails. I worked briefly at Metro Bank doing work experience. You do the commute a few times, and it was challenging – you realise what you do and don’t have.”

Talks with former mentors culminated in a job at the Saints. Fast-forward a decade and Dowson leads a team increasingly crammed with global stars: key individuals were selected for England facing the All Blacks two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a significant influence off the bench in England’s flawless campaign while Fin Smith, in time, will inherit the fly-half role.

Is the emergence of this exceptional cohort due to the team's ethos, or is it luck?

“It's a mix of each,” says Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who gave them opportunities, and we had challenging moments. But the practice they had as a unit is definitely one of the causes they are so tight and so gifted.”

Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a major influence. “I was lucky to be mentored by exceptionally insightful individuals,” he notes. “Jim had a major effect on my career, my training methods, how I manage individuals.”

Northampton execute appealing rugby, which became obvious in the instance of their new signing. The Frenchman was involved with the French club beaten in the continental tournament in last season when Freeman notched a hat-trick. Belleau was impressed sufficiently to reverse the trend of English talent joining Top 14 sides.

“A mate called me and remarked: ‘There’s a fly-half from France who’s in search of a club,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘We don’t have funds for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for new challenges, for the opportunity to prove his worth,’ my friend said. That intrigued us. We had a conversation with Belleau and his English was excellent, he was eloquent, he had a witty personality.

“We asked: ‘What do you want from this?’ He answered to be coached, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the French league. I was thinking: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he has been. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson says the emerging Pollock offers a specific vitality. Has he coached a player similar? “Not really,” Dowson answers. “All players are individual but Henry is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be who he is.”

Pollock’s breathtaking touchdown against their opponents in the past campaign demonstrated his exceptional ability, but a few of his demonstrative on-field antics have resulted in allegations of cockiness.

“On occasion appears arrogant in his conduct, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson asserts. “Furthermore he's not taking the piss all the time. In terms of strategy he has input – he’s no fool. I feel at times it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s clever and great to have in the squad.”

Hardly any coaches would admit to sharing a close bond with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with Sam Vesty.

“Sam and I possess an curiosity regarding different things,” he explains. “We have a book club. He aims to discover various elements, wants to know everything, wants to experience different things, and I think I’m the alike.

“We discuss many subjects outside the game: films, reading, concepts, creativity. When we faced Stade [Français] in the past season, the cathedral was being done up, so we had a quick look.”

One more match in Gall is looming: The Saints' comeback with the English competition will be short-lived because the continental event intervenes shortly. Pau, in the foothills of the border region, are up first on matchday before the Bulls visit the following weekend.

“I refuse to be arrogant enough to {