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This English town may not be the most tropical location in the world, but its squad offers a great deal of excitement and passion.

In a town known for boot‑making, you might expect punting to be the Northampton's main approach. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in green, black and gold choose to keep ball in hand.

Despite playing for a quintessentially English community, they display a style synonymous with the finest French masters of champagne rugby.

After Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have secured the Premiership and advanced far in the Champions Cup – losing to a French side in last season’s final and knocked out by the Irish province in a penultimate round before that.

They lead the Prem table after four wins and a draw and travel to Ashton Gate on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, aiming for a first win at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who featured in 262 elite games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester combined, always planned to be a manager.

“During my career, I never seriously considered it,” he states. “Yet as you mature, you comprehend how much you appreciate the game, and what the everyday life entails. I had a stint at a financial institution doing work experience. You travel to work a several occasions, and it was tough – you see what you possess and lack.”

Talks with former mentors led to a position at the Saints. Jump ahead eight years and Dowson manages a team progressively filled with national team players: key individuals started for the Red Rose versus the All Blacks two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a profound impact off the bench in England’s flawless campaign while the number ten, eventually, will assume the fly-half role.

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

“This is a mix of each,” says Dowson. “My thanks go to Chris Boyd, who gave them opportunities, and we had challenging moments. But the practice they had as a unit is undoubtedly one of the reasons they are so tight and so skilled.”

Dowson also mentions his predecessor, another predecessor at the club's home, as a key figure. “It was my good fortune to be coached by highly engaging personalities,” he notes. “Mallinder had a big impact on my professional journey, my management style, how I deal with individuals.”

Saints play attractive rugby, which was clearly evident in the example of Anthony Belleau. The import was involved with the French club overcome in the European competition in the spring when the winger notched a three tries. He was impressed to such an extent to reverse the trend of English talent heading across the Channel.

“A friend called me and stated: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s in search of a club,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘We don’t have funds for a French fly-half. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the possibility to prove his worth,’ my contact said. That interested me. We spoke to Anthony and his language skills was excellent, he was well-spoken, he had a witty personality.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He said to be guided, to be challenged, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Join us, you’re a great person.’ And he has been. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson comments the 20-year-old Henry Pollock brings a unique vitality. Has he coached anyone comparable? “Never,” Dowson responds. “All players are individual but he is distinct and special in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be himself.”

Pollock’s spectacular try against the Irish side previously demonstrated his unusual ability, but various his animated during matches actions have brought claims of cockiness.

“At times seems overconfident in his behavior, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson asserts. “Plus Henry’s not joking around the whole time. Tactically he has input – he’s no fool. I feel at times it’s depicted that he’s only a character. But he’s intelligent and great to have in the squad.”

Not many managers would admit to sharing a close bond with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with Vesty.

“We both have an interest about different things,” he says. “We maintain a literary circle. He aims to discover all aspects, seeks to understand everything, wants to experience varied activities, and I think I’m the similar.

“We talk about lots of topics outside rugby: cinema, literature, concepts, creativity. When we played our French rivals previously, Notre-Dame was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”

One more date in the French nation is looming: The Saints' comeback with the English competition will be temporary because the continental event takes over soon. The French side, in the vicinity of the mountain range, are up first on matchday before the South African team visit soon after.

“I’m not going to be overconfident to the extent to {