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Northampton is hardly the most exotic spot globally, but its rugby union team offers plenty of romance and adventure.

In a town renowned for footwear manufacturing, you would think boot work to be the Saints’ primary strategy. However under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold choose to retain possession.

Even though embodying a distinctly UK community, they exhibit a flair synonymous with the greatest Gallic exponents of expansive play.

From the time Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the English top flight and progressed well in the European competition – losing to their Gallic opponents in the ultimate match and knocked out by Leinster in a semi-final before that.

They currently top the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and travel to Ashton Gate on the weekend as the sole undefeated team, aiming for a first win at their opponent's ground since 2021.

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

“During my career, I never seriously considered it,” he states. “Yet as you get older, you comprehend how much you appreciate the rugby, and what the normal employment looks like. I had a stint at a financial institution doing work experience. You travel to work a multiple instances, and it was difficult – you grasp what you have going for you.”

Talks with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder resulted in a role at the Saints. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson leads a squad increasingly crammed with global stars: prominent figures lined up for the Red Rose against the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a profound impact as a substitute in the national team's successful series while Fin Smith, down the line, will assume the No 10 jersey.

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

“This is a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “I’d credit an ex-coach, who thrust them into action, and we had difficult periods. But the experience they had as a unit is definitely one of the causes they are so close-knit and so skilled.”

Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, an earlier coach at their stadium, as a key figure. “I’ve been fortunate to be guided by highly engaging personalities,” he says. “He had a significant influence on my professional journey, my coaching, how I manage people.”

Saints execute entertaining football, which proved literally true in the case of Anthony Belleau. The Frenchman was part of the French club defeated in the continental tournament in last season when Tommy Freeman scored a triple. Belleau was impressed enough to buck the pattern of British stars heading across the Channel.

“A friend phoned me and said: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson says. “My response was: ‘We lack the budget for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for experience, for the opportunity to test himself,’ my friend informed me. That interested me. We spoke to Anthony and his communication was excellent, he was articulate, he had a funny side.

“We asked: ‘What do you want from this?’ He answered to be trained, to be challenged, to be facing unfamiliar situations and outside the Top 14. I was like: ‘Join us, you’re a great person.’ And he has been. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson says the young the flanker brings a particular enthusiasm. Does he know anyone similar? “Never,” Dowson responds. “Each person is individual but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s fearless to be himself.”

The player's breathtaking try against the Irish side last season showcased his exceptional talent, but some of his expressive during matches antics have led to accusations of arrogance.

“He sometimes seems cocky in his conduct, but he’s far from it,” Dowson asserts. “Plus Pollock is not taking the piss constantly. Tactically he has contributions – he’s not a clown. I think on occasion it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s clever and a positive influence in the squad.”

Few managers would admit to enjoying a tight friendship with a colleague, but that is how Dowson characterizes his connection with his co-coach.

“We both have an inquisitiveness around different things,” he says. “We maintain a reading group. He wants to see all aspects, seeks to understand each detail, wants to experience new experiences, and I believe I’m the similar.

“We converse on many subjects outside rugby: cinema, books, thoughts, art. When we faced the Parisian club last year, the cathedral was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”

A further match in France is coming up: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the domestic league will be brief because the continental event intervenes shortly. The French side, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are up first on the coming weekend before the South African team travel to the following weekend.

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