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Northampton may not be the most exotic spot in the world, but its squad offers plenty of romance and adventure.

In a city known for shoe production, you could anticipate kicking to be the Saints’ primary strategy. However under leader Phil Dowson, the team in green, black and gold prefer to keep ball in hand.

Despite representing a quintessentially English town, they display a flair associated with the finest French masters of champagne rugby.

After Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have claimed victory in the domestic league and gone deep in the continental tournament – losing to a French side in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by Leinster in a semi-final previously.

They currently top the Prem table after four wins and a draw and head to Bristol on matchday as the only unbeaten side, seeking a maiden victory at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who played 262 elite games for multiple clubs combined, consistently aimed to be a trainer.

“When I played, I hadn't given it much thought,” he states. “But as you mature, you comprehend how much you appreciate the game, and what the everyday life entails. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing work experience. You make the journey a several occasions, and it was tough – you realise what you possess and lack.”

Talks with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder resulted in a position at Northampton. Jump ahead several seasons and Dowson leads a roster increasingly crammed with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles were selected for the national side facing the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a profound impact as a substitute in England’s flawless campaign while Fin Smith, eventually, will assume the fly-half role.

Is the emergence of this remarkable group due to the Saints’ culture, or is it chance?

“It is a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “I would acknowledge the former director of rugby, who thrust them into action, and we had difficult periods. But the exposure they had as a collective is certainly one of the factors they are so close-knit and so skilled.”

Dowson also namechecks his predecessor, another predecessor at their stadium, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be coached by really interesting individuals,” he notes. “Jim had a major effect on my career, my training methods, how I manage individuals.”

The team demonstrate appealing rugby, which became obvious in the example of Anthony Belleau. The import was a member of the French club defeated in the Champions Cup in April when Tommy Freeman notched a hat-trick. The player admired the style enough to buck the pattern of British stars heading across the Channel.

“An associate phoned me and stated: ‘We know of a fly-half from France who’s in search of a club,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘We lack the money for a overseas star. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He wants a fresh start, for the chance to challenge himself,’ my mate informed me. That interested me. We had a conversation with Anthony and his English was excellent, he was eloquent, he had a sense of humour.

“We asked: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He answered to be trained, to be challenged, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Join us, you’re a great person.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson comments the emerging Henry Pollock offers a particular vitality. Does he know anyone like him? “Not really,” Dowson answers. “Each person is unique but he is unusual and remarkable in numerous aspects. He’s unafraid to be himself.”

Pollock’s sensational try against the Irish side in the past campaign showcased his exceptional ability, but a few of his animated during matches antics have brought claims of overconfidence.

“He sometimes appears cocky in his behavior, but he’s not,” Dowson says. “Furthermore Henry’s being serious constantly. Tactically he has ideas – he’s no fool. I think at times it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and a positive influence within the team.”

Few coaches would claim to have sharing a close bond with a assistant, but that is how Dowson describes his partnership with his co-coach.

“Sam and I possess an curiosity about diverse subjects,” he explains. “We run a reading group. He aims to discover various elements, seeks to understand everything, wants to experience different things, and I think I’m the alike.

“We discuss numerous subjects beyond the game: cinema, literature, concepts, art. When we faced the Parisian club previously, the cathedral was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

Another fixture in France is coming up: Northampton’s comeback with the English competition will be brief because the European tournament takes over shortly. Their next opponents, in the shadow of the border region, are up first on matchday before the Pretoria-based club travel to soon after.

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