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This English town is hardly the most glamorous spot on the planet, but its club offers an abundance of thrills and drama.

In a city renowned for footwear manufacturing, you could anticipate punting to be the Northampton's primary strategy. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold choose to keep ball in hand.

Even though playing for a quintessentially English community, they showcase a style synonymous with the greatest French exponents of attacking rugby.

Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have won the English top flight and advanced far in the Champions Cup – defeated by Bordeaux-Bègles in the ultimate match and ousted by the Irish province in a last-four clash previously.

They currently top the competition ladder after a series of victories and one tie and visit their West Country rivals on Saturday as the only unbeaten side, seeking a first win at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who featured in 262 premier games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, consistently aimed to be a coach.

“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he remarks. “But as you get older, you comprehend how much you love the rugby, and what the real world is like. I had a stint at a banking firm doing a trial period. You travel to work a multiple instances, and it was difficult – you grasp what you have going for you.”

Discussions with club legends culminated in a role at Northampton. Fast-forward eight years and Dowson leads a team increasingly packed with global stars: key individuals started for England against the New Zealand two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a profound impact from the replacements in England’s perfect autumn while Fin Smith, in time, will inherit the No 10 jersey.

Is the emergence of this remarkable generation due to the club's environment, or is it luck?

“It's a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “I’d credit an ex-coach, who basically just threw them in, and we had difficult periods. But the exposure they had as a collective is definitely one of the factors they are so united and so gifted.”

Dowson also mentions Jim Mallinder, a former boss at the club's home, as a major influence. “I was lucky to be coached by really interesting personalities,” he adds. “Mallinder had a major effect on my rugby life, my management style, how I manage others.”

Saints demonstrate attractive rugby, which became obvious in the example of the French fly-half. The Frenchman was part of the Clermont XV overcome in the continental tournament in April when Tommy Freeman registered a hat-trick. He admired the style sufficiently to buck the pattern of English talent moving to France.

“A friend phoned me and said: ‘We know of a fly-half from France who’s looking for a side,’” Dowson says. “My response was: ‘We lack the budget for a overseas star. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He desires experience, for the chance to challenge himself,’ my mate informed me. That caught my attention. We met with Anthony and his language skills was outstanding, he was articulate, he had a sense of humour.

“We questioned: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He said to be trained, to be pushed, to be facing unfamiliar situations and beyond the Top 14. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson states the 20-year-old Henry Pollock brings a specific energy. Has he coached a player comparable? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “Each person is individual but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in many ways. He’s not afraid to be who he is.”

The player's spectacular touchdown against Leinster last season illustrated his freakish skill, but some of his animated during matches actions have brought claims of arrogance.

“On occasion seems cocky in his behavior, but he’s far from it,” Dowson says. “And Pollock is being serious the whole time. Tactically he has contributions – he’s not a clown. I feel sometimes it’s depicted that he’s merely a joker. But he’s bright and great to have to have around.”

Hardly any managers would describe themselves as sharing a close bond with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with his co-coach.

“Together have an curiosity around different things,” he explains. “We maintain a book club. He aims to discover all aspects, seeks to understand all there is, wants to experience new experiences, and I think I’m the same.

“We converse on many subjects outside rugby: cinema, literature, ideas, creativity. When we played Stade [Français] last year, the landmark was being done up, so we had a quick look.”

A further fixture in the French nation is coming up: The Saints' return with the English competition will be temporary because the Champions Cup takes over shortly. The French side, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, are the opening fixture on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club travel to a week later.

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