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This English town isn't exactly the most exotic spot in the world, but its rugby union team delivers plenty of thrills and drama.

In a town renowned for footwear manufacturing, you could anticipate kicking to be the Northampton's primary strategy. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in the club's hues opt to keep ball in hand.

Even though embodying a quintessentially English town, they exhibit a style typical of the greatest Gallic practitioners of champagne rugby.

After Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have won the domestic league and gone deep in the European competition – beaten by Bordeaux-Bègles in the ultimate match and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a semi-final earlier.

They sit atop the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and visit Bristol on the weekend as the just one without a loss, aiming for a maiden victory at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who featured in 262 top-flight games for various teams altogether, had long intended to be a trainer.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “Yet as you age, you understand how much you love the game, and what the everyday life is like. I worked briefly at a banking firm doing a trial period. You travel to work a multiple instances, and it was tough – you see what you do and don’t have.”

Conversations with former mentors culminated in a position at the Saints. Fast-forward eight years and Dowson leads a roster increasingly packed with internationals: key individuals started for the national side versus the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a major effect off the bench in England’s successful series while the fly-half, in time, will assume the No 10 jersey.

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

“This is a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who thrust them into action, and we had difficult periods. But the practice they had as a collective is definitely one of the causes they are so united and so skilled.”

Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, a former boss at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “I’ve been fortunate to be guided by highly engaging people,” he adds. “Mallinder had a major effect on my career, my training methods, how I deal with others.”

The team execute appealing the game, which was clearly evident in the example of the French fly-half. The Gallic player was a member of the Clermont XV defeated in the continental tournament in last season when Tommy Freeman registered a triple. The player was impressed to such an extent to go against the flow of UK players joining Top 14 sides.

“A mate rang me and said: ‘There’s a Gallic number ten who’s looking for a side,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘We don’t have budget for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for experience, for the chance to prove his worth,’ my contact said. That intrigued us. We had a conversation with Belleau and his communication was outstanding, he was well-spoken, he had a witty personality.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He answered to be coached, to be driven, to be in a new environment and beyond the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Join us, you’re a great person.’ And he proved to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the young the flanker brings a unique vitality. Does he know an individual similar? “No,” Dowson replies. “Each person is original but Pollock is distinct and special in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be himself.”

The player's breathtaking try against Leinster last season showcased his freakish ability, but some of his demonstrative during matches antics have led to accusations of arrogance.

“On occasion seems arrogant in his actions, but he’s not,” Dowson says. “And Henry’s being serious all the time. In terms of strategy he has contributions – he’s a smart player. I think on occasion it’s portrayed that he’s just this idiot. But he’s clever and great to have in the squad.”

Not many managers would describe themselves as enjoying a tight friendship with a colleague, but that is how Dowson characterizes his relationship with Vesty.

“Sam and I share an curiosity around different things,” he explains. “We maintain a book club. He aims to discover all aspects, seeks to understand all there is, wants to experience varied activities, and I think I’m the similar.

“We talk about numerous topics away from the game: films, books, ideas, creativity. When we met our French rivals previously, the cathedral was under renovation, so we had a little wander around.”

Another fixture in Gall is looming: The Saints' reacquaintance with the English competition will be temporary because the Champions Cup intervenes next week. Their next opponents, in the shadow of the mountain range, are the initial challenge on the coming weekend before the Bulls travel to a week later.

“I refuse to be arrogant to the extent to {