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Northampton is hardly the most glamorous spot globally, but its rugby union team provides plenty of excitement and passion.

In a city renowned for footwear manufacturing, you would think boot work to be the Northampton's main approach. Yet under leader Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold prefer to keep ball in hand.

Despite representing a typically British community, they display a flair typical of the best French exponents of champagne rugby.

From the time Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have claimed victory in the Premiership and advanced far in the continental tournament – beaten by their Gallic opponents in the ultimate match and knocked out by the Irish province in a penultimate round earlier.

They currently top the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and visit Ashton Gate on the weekend as the sole undefeated team, aiming for a initial success at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who featured in 262 premier fixtures for multiple clubs altogether, always planned to be a coach.

“As a professional, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “However as you age, you comprehend how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the everyday life looks like. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing an internship. You make the journey a several occasions, and it was difficult – you grasp what you possess and lack.”

Conversations with former mentors culminated in a position at the Saints. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson guides a team increasingly crammed with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles were selected for the Red Rose facing the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a major effect off the bench in England’s successful series while the number ten, down the line, will assume the pivotal position.

Is the development of this outstanding cohort attributable to the team's ethos, or is it chance?

“This is a bit of both,” says Dowson. “I’d credit Chris Boyd, who gave them opportunities, and we had difficult periods. But the practice they had as a unit is undoubtedly one of the reasons they are so close-knit and so gifted.”

Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, a former boss at Franklin’s Gardens, as a significant mentor. “It was my good fortune to be mentored by highly engaging people,” he says. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my professional journey, my training methods, how I deal with others.”

Saints demonstrate entertaining the game, which became obvious in the example of their new signing. The import was involved with the French club beaten in the Champions Cup in last season when Tommy Freeman scored a hat-trick. Belleau admired the style enough to go against the flow of English talent heading across the Channel.

“A friend called me and remarked: ‘There’s a fly-half from France who’s seeking a side,’” Dowson recalls. “My response was: ‘We lack the budget for a imported playmaker. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for new challenges, for the opportunity to test himself,’ my contact said. That interested me. We had a conversation with him and his communication was outstanding, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be coached, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Join us, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he turned out to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson comments the young Henry Pollock provides a specific energy. Has he encountered anyone comparable? “No,” Dowson replies. “All players are individual but Henry is distinct and special in numerous aspects. He’s not afraid to be who he is.”

The player's sensational try against their opponents previously demonstrated his freakish ability, but some of his expressive in-game behavior have brought accusations of arrogance.

“On occasion seems arrogant in his behavior, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore he's not taking the piss all the time. Tactically he has ideas – he’s no fool. I feel on occasion it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and good fun within the team.”

Not many coaches would claim to have sharing a close bond with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with Sam Vesty.

“Sam and I share an interest regarding various topics,” he notes. “We run a book club. He desires to explore all aspects, seeks to understand each detail, desires to try varied activities, and I think I’m the alike.

“We converse on many things outside rugby: movies, books, concepts, creativity. When we played the Parisian club last year, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a little wander around.”

A further date in France is coming up: The Saints' return with the domestic league will be brief because the Champions Cup takes over soon. Their next opponents, in the foothills of the border region, are up first on matchday before the Pretoria-based club travel to soon after.

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