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Northampton is hardly the most glamorous destination in the world, but its club provides a great deal of excitement and passion.

In a place famous for shoe production, you would think punting to be the Saints’ modus operandi. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors choose to keep ball in hand.

Although embodying a distinctly UK town, they showcase a flair associated with the greatest French masters of expansive play.

From the time Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the Premiership and advanced far in the Champions Cup – defeated by Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by Leinster in a last-four clash earlier.

They lead the Prem table after four wins and a draw and travel to Ashton Gate on matchday as the only unbeaten side, chasing a maiden victory at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 premier matches for multiple clubs combined, always planned to be a manager.

“When I played, I never seriously considered it,” he says. “But as you age, you comprehend how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the normal employment is like. I had a stint at a banking firm doing work experience. You do the commute a several occasions, and it was difficult – you see what you possess and lack.”

Discussions with former mentors led to a job at Northampton. Jump ahead several seasons and Dowson manages a roster progressively packed with national team players: prominent figures were selected for the national side facing the New Zealand two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a significant influence from the replacements in the national team's flawless campaign while Fin Smith, in time, will assume the fly-half role.

Is the rise of this exceptional generation because of 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 challenging moments. But the exposure they had as a group is definitely one of the reasons they are so close-knit and so gifted.”

Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at their stadium, as a major influence. “I was lucky to be guided by exceptionally insightful individuals,” he notes. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my professional journey, my management style, how I manage others.”

The team play appealing the game, which became obvious in the example of the French fly-half. The import was part of the Clermont XV overcome in the Champions Cup in the spring when the winger scored a triple. Belleau was impressed sufficiently to go against the flow of English talent moving to France.

“An associate phoned me and stated: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s seeking a side,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘There's no money for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He desires new challenges, for the chance to prove his worth,’ my friend said. That caught my attention. We met with Belleau and his English was excellent, he was well-spoken, he had a funny side.

“We questioned: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He responded to be trained, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and beyond the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he has been. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson states the young Henry Pollock brings a particular energy. Has he coached a player like him? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “Each person is individual but Henry is distinct and special in many ways. He’s unafraid to be who he is.”

Pollock’s spectacular score against the Irish side last season demonstrated his exceptional ability, but a few of his demonstrative during matches actions have led to claims of arrogance.

“At times comes across as arrogant in his conduct, but he’s far from it,” Dowson says. “Plus Henry’s not taking the piss the whole time. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s no fool. I believe on occasion it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s intelligent and great to have to have around.”

Hardly any coaches would claim to have having a bromance with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with Sam Vesty.

“Sam and I share an interest about different things,” he says. “We have a book club. He wants to see various elements, wants to know all there is, wants to experience new experiences, and I believe I’m the alike.

“We discuss many topics away from the sport: cinema, literature, ideas, culture. When we faced Stade [Français] previously, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

A further match in the French nation is looming: The Saints' return with the English competition will be brief because the European tournament takes over shortly. The French side, in the shadow of the Pyrenees, are up first on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club travel to a week later.

“I refuse to be presumptuous enough to {