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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 place known for footwear manufacturing, you could anticipate kicking to be the Saints’ primary strategy. However under leader Phil Dowson, the squad in their distinctive colors opt to keep ball in hand.

Despite representing a typically British location, they display a flair typical of the finest French masters of expansive play.

From the time Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have secured the domestic league and advanced far in the continental tournament – losing to a French side in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by Leinster in a last-four clash before that.

They currently top the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and visit Bristol on matchday as the just one without a loss, aiming for a maiden victory at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who featured in 262 premier matches for various teams combined, consistently aimed to be a manager.

“During my career, I never seriously considered it,” he says. “But as you age, you understand how much you appreciate the game, and what the real world is like. I had a stint at a financial institution doing work experience. You make the journey a few times, and it was tough – you see what you possess and lack.”

Talks with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a role at the Saints. Move forward eight years and Dowson guides a roster ever more filled with global stars: key individuals started for England facing the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a major effect from the replacements in the national team's successful series while the fly-half, in time, will inherit the fly-half role.

Is the rise of this exceptional cohort because of the club's environment, or is it luck?

“This is a mix of each,” comments Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who thrust them into action, and we had challenging moments. But the experience they had as a unit is undoubtedly one of the factors they are so close-knit and so talented.”

Dowson also mentions Mallinder, an earlier coach at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “It was my good fortune to be coached by highly engaging personalities,” he notes. “Jim had a major effect on my rugby life, my training methods, how I deal with individuals.”

Saints execute attractive rugby, which became obvious in the instance of the French fly-half. The import was part of the opposing team defeated in the Champions Cup in April when Freeman scored a triple. He was impressed enough to go against the flow of English talent joining Top 14 sides.

“An associate phoned me and remarked: ‘We've found a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a team,’” Dowson says. “I replied: ‘There's no budget for a imported playmaker. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He desires new challenges, for the opportunity to prove his worth,’ my friend said. That caught my attention. We met with him and his English was outstanding, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.

“We asked: ‘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: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he proved to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson comments the emerging Henry Pollock brings a specific energy. Does he know a player similar? “Never,” Dowson answers. “Each person is original but Henry is unusual and remarkable in many ways. He’s unafraid to be authentic.”

Pollock’s sensational try against their opponents previously illustrated his unusual ability, but some of his demonstrative during matches behavior have brought accusations of cockiness.

“At times appears overconfident in his actions, but he’s not,” Dowson says. “And Henry’s not taking the piss all the time. Tactically he has input – he’s no fool. I believe at times it’s portrayed that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and great to have within the team.”

Few managers would claim to have having a bromance with a colleague, but that is how Dowson frames his partnership with his co-coach.

“We both share an curiosity around various topics,” he explains. “We run a literary circle. He wants to see everything, seeks to understand all there is, desires to try new experiences, and I believe I’m the alike.

“We talk about numerous things outside the game: films, reading, thoughts, culture. When we played our French rivals in the past season, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a little wander around.”

One more fixture in France is coming up: Northampton’s comeback with the Prem will be temporary because the continental event intervenes next week. Pau, in the shadow of the mountain range, are up first on the coming weekend before the Bulls arrive at the following weekend.

“I refuse to be arrogant to the extent to {