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This English town isn't exactly the most tropical spot on the planet, but its squad offers a great deal of excitement and passion.

In a city famous for footwear manufacturing, you would think kicking to be the Saints’ modus operandi. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors opt to run with the ball.

Despite representing a typically British location, they display a flair typical of the best Gallic exponents of champagne rugby.

From the time Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the Premiership and progressed well in the continental tournament – losing to a French side in last season’s final and ousted by Leinster in a penultimate round earlier.

They lead the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and head to their West Country rivals on Saturday as the sole undefeated team, seeking a first win at Bristol's home since 2021.

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

“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “But as you mature, you comprehend how much you love the rugby, and what the everyday life is like. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You make the journey a few times, and it was tough – you grasp what you have going for you.”

Conversations with club legends culminated in a job at Northampton. Move forward eight years and Dowson guides a squad ever more crammed with national team players: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles lined up for England against the All Blacks two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a significant influence from the replacements in the national team's successful series while Fin Smith, eventually, will take over the pivotal position.

Is the emergence of this remarkable cohort attributable to the team's ethos, or is it luck?

“It is a mix of each,” says Dowson. “My thanks go to the former director of rugby, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the practice they had as a unit is undoubtedly one of the factors they are so tight and so talented.”

Dowson also namechecks Mallinder, a former boss at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be mentored by exceptionally insightful people,” he says. “He had a major effect on my professional journey, my management style, how I manage people.”

Northampton execute entertaining the game, which became obvious in the instance of Anthony Belleau. The Frenchman was part of the opposing team defeated in the European competition in last season when Tommy Freeman registered a three tries. Belleau was impressed sufficiently to buck the pattern of English talent moving to France.

“An associate rang me and stated: ‘We've found a French 10 who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson recalls. “My response was: ‘We lack the money for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the opportunity to prove his worth,’ my mate told me. That caught my attention. We met with Belleau and his language skills was outstanding, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.

“We inquired: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He responded to be trained, to be driven, to be in a new environment and beyond the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he proved to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the emerging Pollock offers a particular vitality. Has he coached an individual comparable? “No,” Dowson answers. “All players are unique but he is different and unique in numerous aspects. He’s unafraid to be himself.”

The player's sensational try against Leinster last season demonstrated his exceptional talent, but some of his expressive in-game behavior have brought accusations of cockiness.

“He sometimes comes across as overconfident in his behavior, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson says. “Furthermore Henry’s not joking around constantly. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s not a clown. I feel on occasion it’s portrayed that he’s only a character. But he’s clever and a positive influence within the team.”

Few managers would admit to having a bromance with a assistant, but that is how Dowson characterizes his partnership with Sam Vesty.

“Together share an interest around various topics,” he notes. “We maintain a literary circle. He aims to discover all aspects, wants to know everything, aims to encounter varied activities, and I think I’m the same.

“We talk about lots of things beyond the sport: movies, books, ideas, culture. When we played the Parisian club previously, the cathedral was being done up, so we had a quick look.”

One more date in the French nation is looming: The Saints' comeback with the English competition will be short-lived because the European tournament intervenes shortly. Pau, in the foothills of the mountain range, are up first on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club arrive at the following weekend.

“I won't be overconfident to the extent to {