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This English town may not be the most exotic spot in the world, but its squad delivers plenty of excitement and passion.

In a city known for boot‑making, you would think boot work to be the Saints’ primary strategy. Yet under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold choose to retain possession.

Although playing for a distinctly UK location, they display a panache associated with the greatest Gallic practitioners of champagne rugby.

Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the English top flight and gone deep in the continental tournament – losing to their Gallic opponents in the ultimate match and knocked out by Leinster in a semi-final before that.

They lead the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and head to Ashton Gate on the weekend as the sole undefeated team, seeking a first win at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who participated in 262 top-flight matches for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, consistently aimed to be a coach.

“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “Yet as you mature, you understand how much you appreciate the sport, and what the normal employment entails. I had a stint at a financial institution doing an internship. You travel to work a several occasions, and it was tough – you grasp what you possess and lack.”

Discussions with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder led to a job at the Saints. Move forward a decade and Dowson leads a roster progressively packed with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles were selected for England facing the All Blacks two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a major effect off the bench in England’s perfect autumn while the fly-half, in time, will assume the pivotal position.

Is the emergence of this outstanding generation due to the team's ethos, or is it chance?

“It's a combination of the two,” states Dowson. “I would acknowledge an ex-coach, who gave them opportunities, and we had difficult periods. But the exposure they had as a unit is definitely one of the reasons they are so united and so talented.”

Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, a former boss at the club's home, as a key figure. “I’ve been fortunate to be mentored by highly engaging people,” he adds. “Mallinder had a big impact on my career, my training methods, how I interact with others.”

Northampton execute entertaining the game, which proved literally true in the instance of the French fly-half. The import was a member of the Clermont XV overcome in the European competition in last season when Tommy Freeman scored a hat-trick. Belleau admired the style enough to go against the flow of British stars joining Top 14 sides.

“A mate phoned me and remarked: ‘We've found a fly-half from France who’s in search of a club,’” Dowson recalls. “I replied: ‘We lack the money for a imported playmaker. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He wants a fresh start, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my contact told me. That caught my attention. We spoke to him and his English was outstanding, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.

“We questioned: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He responded to be coached, to be challenged, to be facing unfamiliar situations and outside the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he proved to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the young Henry Pollock offers a specific vitality. Has he encountered a player similar? “Never,” Dowson replies. “Each person is original but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in many ways. He’s not afraid to be who he is.”

Pollock’s breathtaking try against Leinster last season demonstrated his unusual skill, but some of his demonstrative in-game behavior have brought allegations of overconfidence.

“He sometimes seems cocky in his behavior, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson says. “Plus Pollock is not joking around the whole time. Tactically he has contributions – he’s not a clown. I believe at times it’s portrayed that he’s only a character. But he’s clever and a positive influence to have around.”

Hardly any directors of rugby would claim to have sharing a close bond with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with Vesty.

“Sam and I share an interest around diverse subjects,” he explains. “We have a reading group. He wants to see various elements, wants to know everything, wants to experience varied activities, and I think I’m the similar.

“We discuss lots of subjects beyond the game: cinema, books, ideas, culture. When we faced our French rivals in the past season, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

One more date in France is looming: The Saints' return with the Prem will be brief because the Champions Cup intervenes shortly. Pau, in the vicinity of the mountain range, are up first on Sunday week before the Bulls visit a week later.

“I refuse to be overconfident to the extent to {