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This English town may not be the most exotic destination globally, but its club offers a great deal of excitement and passion.

In a place known for shoe production, you would think kicking to be the Saints’ primary strategy. But under leader Phil Dowson, the team in green, black and gold opt to retain possession.

Although playing for a quintessentially English town, they showcase a flair synonymous with the best French practitioners of champagne rugby.

Since Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have won the English top flight and advanced far in the Champions Cup – defeated by a French side in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by the Irish province in a semi-final earlier.

They sit atop the league standings after four wins and a draw and travel to Bristol on matchday as the only unbeaten side, seeking a first win at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who featured in 262 premier games for multiple clubs combined, consistently aimed to be a coach.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he remarks. “Yet as you get older, you understand how much you love the sport, and what the everyday life is like. I worked briefly at a financial institution doing an internship. You make the journey a multiple instances, and it was tough – you realise what you possess and lack.”

Conversations with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a job at the Saints. Move forward eight years and Dowson guides a squad increasingly filled with global stars: key individuals started for the Red Rose versus the New Zealand two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a significant influence as a substitute in England’s perfect autumn while the fly-half, down the line, will take over the fly-half role.

Is the emergence of this exceptional cohort attributable to the Saints’ culture, or is it chance?

“It's a bit of both,” says Dowson. “My thanks go to an ex-coach, who basically just threw them in, and we had difficult periods. But the experience they had as a unit is certainly one of the causes they are so close-knit and so skilled.”

Dowson also cites his predecessor, a former boss at the club's home, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be mentored by exceptionally insightful personalities,” he notes. “Jim had a major effect on my professional journey, my training methods, how I deal with individuals.”

Saints play appealing rugby, which was clearly evident in the case of the French fly-half. The Frenchman was involved with the opposing team defeated in the continental tournament in last season when Freeman notched a three tries. The player was impressed enough to reverse the trend of UK players heading across the Channel.

“A friend called me and remarked: ‘We know of a fly-half from France who’s looking for a team,’” Dowson says. “My response was: ‘We lack the money for a overseas star. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He desires experience, for the opportunity to prove his worth,’ my mate told me. That caught my attention. We had a conversation with him and his communication was excellent, he was well-spoken, he had a witty personality.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He answered to be guided, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and away from the Top 14. I was like: ‘Join us, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he has been. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson says the young the flanker provides a particular energy. Has he encountered a player comparable? “Never,” Dowson replies. “Everyone’s original but Henry is unusual and remarkable in numerous aspects. He’s not afraid to be who he is.”

Pollock’s sensational try against the Irish side in the past campaign showcased his exceptional talent, but various his expressive on-field behavior have led to claims of cockiness.

“He sometimes seems overconfident in his actions, but he’s not,” Dowson asserts. “Furthermore Pollock is not joking around all the time. Tactically he has input – he’s a smart player. I believe at times it’s shown that he’s merely a joker. But he’s bright and good fun within the team.”

Few directors of rugby would describe themselves as enjoying a tight friendship with a assistant, but that is how Dowson describes his relationship with Vesty.

“We both share an inquisitiveness around various topics,” he notes. “We run a book club. He aims to discover everything, aims to learn everything, desires to try new experiences, and I feel like I’m the same.

“We discuss lots of things away from the sport: cinema, literature, ideas, art. When we faced our French rivals previously, the cathedral was under renovation, so we had a quick look.”

One more fixture in the French nation is looming: The Saints' comeback with the English competition will be short-lived because the Champions Cup intervenes soon. The French side, in the shadow of the mountain range, are up first on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club travel to soon after.

“I won't be arrogant sufficiently to {