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This English town may not be the most exotic destination on the planet, but its rugby union team delivers an abundance of romance and adventure.

In a town renowned for boot‑making, you could anticipate boot work to be the Northampton's primary strategy. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in green, black and gold opt to run with the ball.

Despite representing a quintessentially English town, they showcase a style associated with the finest French exponents of champagne rugby.

Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have secured the domestic league and progressed well in the Champions Cup – losing to a French side in the ultimate match and ousted by the Irish province in a last-four clash before that.

They lead the league standings after multiple successes and a single stalemate and visit their West Country rivals on the weekend as the sole undefeated team, aiming for a first win at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who featured in 262 elite games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, had long intended to be a trainer.

“When I played, I never seriously considered it,” he says. “But as you get older, you realise how much you appreciate the rugby, and what the everyday life looks like. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing work experience. You travel to work a few times, and it was tough – you grasp what you have going for you.”

Talks with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder led to a job at the Saints. Jump ahead a decade and Dowson manages a team ever more packed with national team players: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles lined up for the national side facing the New Zealand two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a significant influence as a substitute in England’s perfect autumn while the fly-half, in time, will assume the No 10 jersey.

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

“This is a mix of each,” states Dowson. “I would acknowledge Chris Boyd, who thrust them into action, and we had challenging moments. But the exposure they had as a unit is undoubtedly one of the reasons they are so united and so gifted.”

Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, a former boss at the club's home, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be mentored by really interesting personalities,” he adds. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my professional journey, my training methods, how I interact with others.”

The team execute entertaining the game, which became obvious in the case of Anthony Belleau. The Frenchman was involved with the French club beaten in the European competition in the spring when Tommy Freeman registered a triple. He admired the style sufficiently to buck the pattern of UK players joining Top 14 sides.

“A friend called me and stated: ‘There’s a Gallic number ten who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson recalls. “I replied: ‘We don’t have budget for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He desires a fresh start, for the chance to test himself,’ my contact said. That caught my attention. We met with Anthony and his communication was incredible, he was eloquent, he had a sense of humour.

“We questioned: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be guided, to be driven, to be in a new environment and away from the French league. I was saying: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he proved to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson comments the 20-year-old Pollock provides a particular enthusiasm. Does he know a player similar? “No,” Dowson responds. “All players are individual but Pollock is different and unique in many ways. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”

The player's breathtaking touchdown against the Irish side last season demonstrated his exceptional ability, but various his animated in-game actions have resulted in allegations of cockiness.

“On occasion comes across as cocky in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson says. “Plus he's being serious constantly. Tactically he has input – he’s not a clown. I feel at times it’s shown that he’s merely a joker. But he’s intelligent and great to have in the squad.”

Hardly any managers would claim to have enjoying a tight friendship with a head coach, but that is how Dowson describes his relationship with Sam Vesty.

“Sam and I possess an curiosity around different things,” he explains. “We run a reading group. He aims to discover all aspects, seeks to understand everything, wants to experience new experiences, and I feel like I’m the same.

“We discuss numerous topics outside the game: cinema, reading, thoughts, creativity. When we played the Parisian club in the past season, Notre-Dame was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”

One more fixture in Gall is approaching: The Saints' return with the domestic league will be short-lived because the Champions Cup intervenes shortly. Their next opponents, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are the opening fixture on matchday before the Bulls arrive at a week later.

“I’m not going to be presumptuous sufficiently to {