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This English town is hardly the most glamorous spot globally, but its squad provides plenty of excitement and passion.

In a place renowned for boot‑making, you might expect punting to be the Northampton's primary strategy. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in their distinctive colors prefer to keep ball in hand.

Even though embodying a typically British town, they display a style typical of the best French exponents of attacking rugby.

Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have won the English top flight and progressed well in the continental tournament – beaten by Bordeaux-Bègles in the ultimate match and ousted by Dublin-based club in a semi-final earlier.

They lead the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and visit Ashton Gate on matchday as the only unbeaten side, aiming for a maiden victory at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 elite fixtures for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, consistently aimed to be a trainer.

“As a professional, I never seriously considered it,” he remarks. “But as you get older, you comprehend how much you love the rugby, and what the normal employment entails. I had a stint at a financial institution doing a trial period. You make the journey a several occasions, and it was tough – you grasp what you do and don’t have.”

Discussions with former mentors led to a role at the Saints. Fast-forward a decade and Dowson manages a squad progressively filled with national team players: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles were selected for the Red Rose facing the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a significant influence from the replacements in the national team's flawless campaign while Fin Smith, down the line, will assume the No 10 jersey.

Is the development of this exceptional cohort due to the club's environment, or is it luck?

“It is a combination of the two,” states Dowson. “I’d credit an ex-coach, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the experience they had as a group is definitely one of the factors they are so tight and so talented.”

Dowson also mentions Mallinder, a former boss at Franklin’s Gardens, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be mentored by highly engaging individuals,” he notes. “Mallinder had a big impact on my career, my management style, how I interact with people.”

Saints execute appealing football, which became obvious in the instance of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was part of the Clermont XV defeated in the continental tournament in April when Tommy Freeman notched a triple. He was impressed to such an extent to reverse the trend of UK players moving to France.

“An associate phoned me and remarked: ‘We've found a fly-half from France who’s seeking a side,’” Dowson says. “I replied: ‘There's no money for a imported playmaker. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He wants a fresh start, for the opportunity to test himself,’ my contact informed me. That caught my attention. We spoke to him and his communication was outstanding, he was eloquent, he had a funny side.

“We inquired: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He responded to be guided, to be challenged, to be in a new environment and away from the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he turned out to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the 20-year-old the flanker offers a particular enthusiasm. Has he coached a player similar? “Not really,” Dowson answers. “Everyone’s original but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in many ways. He’s fearless to be authentic.”

Pollock’s sensational score against the Irish side in the past campaign illustrated his exceptional ability, but various his demonstrative on-field actions have led to allegations of overconfidence.

“He sometimes seems arrogant in his actions, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore Henry’s not joking around the whole time. In terms of strategy he has input – he’s a smart player. I feel sometimes it’s depicted that he’s merely a joker. But he’s intelligent and great to have to have around.”

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

“Sam and I possess an inquisitiveness regarding diverse subjects,” he says. “We maintain a book club. He aims to discover various elements, seeks to understand all there is, desires to try varied activities, and I think I’m the alike.

“We talk about lots of things away from rugby: movies, books, thoughts, art. When we faced Stade [Français] last year, Notre-Dame was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”

A further date in the French nation is approaching: The Saints' return with the Prem will be temporary because the Champions Cup intervenes soon. Their next opponents, in the shadow of the border region, are the opening fixture on the coming weekend before the Pretoria-based club arrive at soon after.

“I refuse to be overconfident enough to {