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Northampton is hardly the most tropical destination globally, but its club delivers an abundance of excitement and passion.

In a town famous for footwear manufacturing, you might expect punting to be the Saints’ primary strategy. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors prefer to retain possession.

Despite embodying a distinctly UK town, they display a panache associated with the best French masters of attacking rugby.

After Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have secured the domestic league and progressed well in the Champions Cup – losing to their Gallic opponents in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by the Irish province in a penultimate round previously.

They lead the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and travel to their West Country rivals on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, seeking a maiden victory at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who participated in 262 premier matches for multiple clubs combined, always planned to be a trainer.

“During my career, I didn't really think about it,” he remarks. “But as you mature, you understand how much you appreciate the game, and what the everyday life entails. I had a stint at a banking firm doing an internship. You make the journey a several occasions, and it was tough – you see what you do and don’t have.”

Talks with former mentors resulted in a role at the Saints. Jump ahead several seasons and Dowson leads a roster ever more filled with national team players: prominent figures lined up for the national side facing the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a significant influence off the bench in England’s perfect autumn while the number ten, in time, will assume the No 10 jersey.

Is the rise of this remarkable group due to the Saints’ culture, or is it chance?

“This is a mix of each,” states Dowson. “My thanks go to an ex-coach, who thrust them into action, and we had difficult periods. But the practice they had as a unit is undoubtedly one of the causes they are so close-knit and so talented.”

Dowson also namechecks Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at Franklin’s Gardens, as a major influence. “I was lucky to be coached by really interesting people,” he says. “He had a big impact on my career, my training methods, how I manage individuals.”

The team demonstrate entertaining rugby, which became obvious in the example of their new signing. The Frenchman was part of the Clermont XV overcome in the European competition in the spring when Tommy Freeman registered a hat-trick. Belleau admired the style to such an extent to reverse the trend of UK players moving to France.

“A friend rang me and remarked: ‘We've found a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a team,’” Dowson says. “My response was: ‘We don’t have money for a overseas star. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for a fresh start, for the chance to challenge himself,’ my mate informed me. That interested me. We had a conversation with him and his communication was incredible, he was eloquent, he had a witty personality.

“We questioned: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be trained, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and away from the French league. I was saying: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson says the emerging Henry Pollock offers a specific energy. Does he know anyone comparable? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “Each person is unique but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be authentic.”

The player's sensational touchdown against their opponents previously showcased his freakish talent, but a few of his demonstrative in-game actions have resulted in claims of overconfidence.

“At times appears arrogant in his conduct, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore Pollock is being serious the whole time. Game-wise he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I believe on occasion it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s bright and great to have in the squad.”

Hardly any managers would describe themselves as enjoying a tight friendship with a colleague, but that is how Dowson characterizes his relationship with his co-coach.

“Sam and I share an interest around different things,” he explains. “We run a reading group. He aims to discover everything, aims to learn everything, wants to experience different things, and I believe I’m the alike.

“We talk about numerous topics outside the sport: films, books, ideas, culture. When we played Stade [Français] last year, the cathedral was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”

One more fixture in the French nation is approaching: The Saints' return with the English competition will be temporary because the European tournament intervenes soon. Their next opponents, in the foothills of the border region, are up first on the coming weekend before the South African team arrive at soon after.

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