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This English town may not be the most tropical spot globally, but its club provides an abundance of excitement and passion.

In a place renowned for boot‑making, you might expect punting to be the Northampton's main approach. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the team in green, black and gold opt to run with the ball.

Although representing a typically British town, they showcase a panache synonymous with the best French exponents of champagne rugby.

From the time Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have won the Premiership and progressed well in the Champions Cup – defeated by a French side in the ultimate match and ousted by Dublin-based club in a semi-final earlier.

They sit atop the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to their West Country rivals on matchday as the sole undefeated team, chasing a first win at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who played 262 elite fixtures for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, always planned to be a coach.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “But as you get older, you understand how much you appreciate the game, and what the normal employment entails. I worked briefly at a banking firm doing a trial period. You do the commute a several occasions, and it was tough – you realise what you do and don’t have.”

Conversations with club legends led to a position at the Saints. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson guides a squad ever more filled with national team players: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles were selected for the Red Rose against the New Zealand two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a profound impact off the bench in the national team's flawless campaign while the number ten, in time, will take over the No 10 jersey.

Is the rise of this remarkable group attributable to the team's ethos, or is it chance?

“This is a bit of both,” 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 group is definitely one of the causes they are so tight and so gifted.”

Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, an earlier coach at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be coached by really interesting personalities,” he notes. “Jim had a significant influence on my professional journey, my management style, how I deal with others.”

Northampton demonstrate attractive rugby, which became obvious in the instance of the French fly-half. The import was part of the French club defeated in the European competition in last season when Freeman scored a triple. He liked what he saw to such an extent to reverse the trend of UK players joining Top 14 sides.

“An associate called me and stated: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson says. “I replied: ‘There's no funds for a overseas star. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my friend told me. That interested me. We met with him and his communication was incredible, he was well-spoken, he had a funny side.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be trained, to be challenged, to be in a new environment and outside the French league. I was like: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he proved to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson says the young Henry Pollock provides a specific energy. Has he coached an individual similar? “No,” Dowson answers. “All players are individual but Henry is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”

Pollock’s breathtaking score against the Irish side previously illustrated his exceptional ability, but a few of his animated on-field antics have led to allegations of overconfidence.

“At times appears overconfident in his actions, but he’s far from it,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore Pollock is not taking the piss the whole time. In terms of strategy he has contributions – he’s no fool. I feel on occasion it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s bright and good fun in the squad.”

Hardly any coaches would claim to have having a bromance with a head coach, but that is how Dowson describes his partnership with Sam Vesty.

“Together possess an curiosity regarding different things,” he says. “We have a reading group. He aims to discover everything, aims to learn all there is, wants to experience different things, and I feel like I’m the same.

“We converse on many topics outside rugby: cinema, reading, thoughts, creativity. When we played the Parisian club previously, the cathedral was under renovation, so we had a little wander around.”

A further fixture in France is approaching: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the Prem will be short-lived because the Champions Cup takes over shortly. The French side, in the shadow of the Pyrenees, are up first on matchday before the South African team arrive at the following weekend.

“I refuse to be overconfident to the extent to {