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This English town isn't exactly the most glamorous location in the world, but its rugby union team offers plenty of excitement and passion.

In a city famous for boot‑making, you would think boot work to be the Saints’ main approach. However under leader Phil Dowson, the side in green, black and gold choose to retain possession.

Although embodying a distinctly UK location, they display a style synonymous with the finest Gallic exponents of attacking rugby.

Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have secured the domestic league and gone deep in the European competition – defeated by a French side in the ultimate match and eliminated by Leinster in a penultimate round earlier.

They lead the league standings after four wins and a draw and head to Bristol on Saturday as the only unbeaten side, aiming for a first win at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 premier games for multiple clubs in total, always planned to be a trainer.

“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he states. “However as you mature, you understand how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the real world looks like. I had a stint at a financial institution doing work experience. You do the commute a several occasions, and it was tough – you grasp what you do and don’t have.”

Talks with former mentors culminated in a job at Northampton. Move forward a decade and Dowson manages a team ever more packed with national team players: key individuals were selected for the Red Rose against the All Blacks two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a significant influence as a substitute in the national team's flawless campaign while Fin Smith, eventually, will take over the fly-half role.

Is the emergence of this exceptional group attributable to the team's ethos, or is it luck?

“It is a mix of each,” says Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who basically just threw them in, and we had some tough days. But the practice they had as a unit is undoubtedly one of the causes they are so united and so skilled.”

Dowson also mentions Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at the club's home, as a key figure. “I’ve been fortunate to be mentored by really interesting individuals,” he adds. “Jim had a major effect on my professional journey, my training methods, how I deal with others.”

Northampton play appealing rugby, which was clearly evident in the case of their new signing. The Frenchman was involved with the opposing team overcome in the European competition in the spring when Tommy Freeman notched a triple. The player admired the style to such an extent to go against the flow of British stars moving to France.

“An associate called me and said: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s looking for a club,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘We don’t have budget for a overseas star. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for new challenges, for the possibility to prove his worth,’ my contact said. That interested me. We had a conversation with him and his language skills was incredible, he was well-spoken, he had a funny side.

“We inquired: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He responded to be coached, to be challenged, to be in a new environment and beyond the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson says the young Henry Pollock offers a particular energy. Has he coached a player similar? “No,” Dowson replies. “Everyone’s original but he is distinct and special in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be authentic.”

His spectacular touchdown against Leinster previously demonstrated his exceptional talent, but various his animated during matches antics have brought allegations of overconfidence.

“On occasion appears arrogant in his conduct, but he’s far from it,” Dowson says. “And Henry’s not taking the piss the whole time. Tactically he has input – he’s not a clown. I believe sometimes it’s portrayed that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and a positive influence in the squad.”

Not many coaches would describe themselves as sharing a close bond with a colleague, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with his co-coach.

“We both share an interest regarding various topics,” he notes. “We have a book club. He desires to explore various elements, aims to learn everything, wants to experience different things, and I feel like I’m the same.

“We converse on numerous things outside rugby: movies, reading, ideas, art. When we faced Stade [Français] last year, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a quick look.”

A further match in the French nation is looming: Northampton’s comeback with the domestic league will be temporary because the Champions Cup takes over shortly. Their next opponents, in the shadow of the mountain range, are up first on the coming weekend before the Pretoria-based club arrive at the following weekend.

“I won't be overconfident sufficiently to {