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This English town may not be the most glamorous destination in the world, but its squad delivers plenty of romance and adventure.

In a place famous for footwear manufacturing, you could anticipate kicking to be the Saints’ main approach. Yet under leader Phil Dowson, the side in the club's hues opt to retain possession.

Although playing for a typically British community, they showcase a style synonymous with the best French masters of expansive play.

From the time Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have secured the Premiership and progressed well in the continental tournament – defeated by Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and knocked out by the Irish province in a penultimate round before that.

They currently top the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and travel to their West Country rivals on Saturday as the sole undefeated team, chasing a maiden victory at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 premier games for multiple clubs altogether, consistently aimed to be a trainer.

“During my career, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “However as you get older, you comprehend how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the everyday life is like. I worked briefly at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You do the commute a multiple instances, and it was challenging – you realise what you have going for you.”

Discussions with club legends culminated in a job at Northampton. Jump ahead eight years and Dowson guides a team ever more filled with national team players: prominent figures were selected for the Red Rose facing the All Blacks two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a significant influence as a substitute in the national team's successful series while the number ten, in time, will assume the pivotal position.

Is the development of this outstanding cohort attributable to the club's environment, or is it fortune?

“This is a bit of both,” states Dowson. “I would acknowledge an ex-coach, who basically just threw them in, and we had difficult periods. But the experience they had as a unit is undoubtedly one of the factors they are so united and so talented.”

Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “It was my good fortune to be mentored by highly engaging individuals,” he says. “He had a significant influence on my rugby life, my coaching, how I deal with people.”

The team execute appealing the game, which was clearly evident in the instance of their new signing. The import was involved with the French club beaten in the continental tournament in April when Freeman scored a hat-trick. He was impressed sufficiently to reverse the trend of English talent moving to France.

“A mate called me and stated: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s seeking a club,’” Dowson recalls. “I replied: ‘We lack the funds for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for new challenges, for the possibility to test himself,’ my mate informed me. That intrigued us. We spoke to him and his English was excellent, he was articulate, he had a funny side.

“We asked: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He said to be guided, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and beyond the Top 14. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he proved to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson comments the emerging Henry Pollock provides a particular energy. Has he encountered anyone comparable? “No,” Dowson answers. “Everyone’s individual but he is different and unique in many ways. He’s not afraid to be himself.”

The player's spectacular score against Leinster last season illustrated his unusual talent, but some of his expressive during matches antics have led to allegations of cockiness.

“On occasion comes across as arrogant in his behavior, but he’s far from it,” Dowson says. “Plus Pollock is not taking the piss all the time. Game-wise he has input – he’s not a clown. I think on occasion it’s depicted that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and good fun in the squad.”

Hardly any directors of rugby would claim to have enjoying a tight friendship with a colleague, but that is how Dowson describes his relationship with his co-coach.

“Together possess an inquisitiveness around diverse subjects,” he says. “We run a book club. He aims to discover various elements, wants to know each detail, aims to encounter different things, and I believe I’m the similar.

“We talk about lots of subjects outside the game: movies, literature, concepts, creativity. When we played Stade [Français] previously, the landmark was undergoing restoration, so we had a brief exploration.”

One more fixture in the French nation is looming: Northampton’s comeback with the domestic league will be temporary because the European tournament intervenes next week. Pau, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are up first on Sunday week before the South African team visit a week later.

“I’m not going to be arrogant enough to {