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This English town may not be the most tropical location on the planet, but its rugby union team provides a great deal of romance and adventure.

In a place renowned for shoe production, you would think kicking to be the Saints’ primary strategy. Yet under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the squad in the club's hues choose to keep ball in hand.

Even though playing for a typically British town, they exhibit a style synonymous with the greatest French masters of champagne rugby.

From the time Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the English top flight and advanced far in the European competition – losing to a French side in the previous campaign's decider and eliminated by Leinster in a penultimate round previously.

They currently top the league standings after four wins and a draw and head to Bristol on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, chasing a initial success at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 top-flight games for multiple clubs altogether, consistently aimed to be a manager.

“As a professional, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “But as you mature, you understand how much you enjoy the game, and what the normal employment entails. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing work experience. You do the commute a several occasions, and it was tough – you realise what you possess and lack.”

Discussions with former mentors led to a job at Northampton. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson leads a team progressively crammed with global stars: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for the national side against the New Zealand two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a major effect as a substitute in the national team's flawless campaign while the number ten, down the line, will take over the pivotal position.

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

“This is a mix of each,” comments Dowson. “I’d credit Chris Boyd, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the practice they had as a group is certainly one of the causes they are so close-knit and so gifted.”

Dowson also cites Mallinder, a former boss at their stadium, as a major influence. “I’ve been fortunate to be mentored by highly engaging individuals,” he notes. “He had a major effect on my career, my coaching, how I interact with people.”

The team play appealing football, which became obvious in the example of the French fly-half. The import was part of the French club beaten in the European competition in April when Freeman scored a triple. The player liked what he saw sufficiently to reverse the trend of British stars moving to France.

“A mate phoned me and said: ‘We know of a Gallic number ten who’s looking for a club,’” Dowson explains. “My response was: ‘We lack the budget for a imported playmaker. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He wants a fresh start, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my contact said. That interested me. We spoke to Belleau and his communication was excellent, he was eloquent, he had a sense of humour.

“We questioned: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He answered to be coached, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the Top 14. I was saying: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson comments the emerging Henry Pollock offers a unique vitality. Does he know an individual comparable? “Not really,” Dowson responds. “Everyone’s unique but he is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be himself.”

His sensational try against their opponents last season showcased his unusual talent, but various his expressive during matches behavior have resulted in claims of cockiness.

“At times seems arrogant in his behavior, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson asserts. “And Pollock is being serious the whole time. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I feel at times it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and a positive influence to have around.”

Not many managers would describe themselves as sharing a close bond with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with his co-coach.

“Together have an curiosity regarding various topics,” he explains. “We maintain a book club. He desires to explore everything, wants to know all there is, wants to experience different things, and I believe I’m the alike.

“We converse on lots of subjects away from the sport: films, books, ideas, art. When we met Stade [Français] previously, the cathedral was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

A further match in France is looming: Northampton’s return with the domestic league will be short-lived because the European tournament takes over soon. Their next opponents, in the foothills of the border region, are the opening fixture on the coming weekend before the Pretoria-based club arrive at soon after.

“I refuse to be presumptuous to the extent to {