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This English town may not be the most tropical spot in the world, but its club offers plenty of romance and adventure.

In a town renowned for footwear manufacturing, you might expect punting to be the Saints’ main approach. Yet under leader Phil Dowson, the side in green, black and gold prefer to keep ball in hand.

Even though playing for a quintessentially English community, they showcase a panache synonymous with the best French masters of attacking rugby.

Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the Premiership and progressed well in the Champions Cup – beaten by a French side in the ultimate match and ousted by Dublin-based club in a semi-final earlier.

They sit atop the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to Bristol on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, chasing a first win at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who featured in 262 premier fixtures for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, consistently aimed to be a manager.

“During my career, I never seriously considered it,” he says. “Yet as you age, you realise how much you love the game, and what the everyday life is like. I had a stint at a financial institution doing a trial period. You travel to work a multiple instances, and it was difficult – you see what you do and don’t have.”

Conversations with club legends resulted in a position at the Saints. Move forward a decade and Dowson manages a roster ever more crammed with global stars: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for the Red Rose versus the New Zealand two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a major effect as a substitute in the national team's flawless campaign while the number ten, eventually, will assume the No 10 jersey.

Is the rise of this exceptional cohort because of the team's ethos, or is it luck?

“This is a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “I’d credit an ex-coach, who gave them opportunities, and we had challenging moments. But the practice they had as a collective is undoubtedly one of the reasons they are so close-knit and so gifted.”

Dowson also cites Mallinder, another predecessor at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be coached by really interesting personalities,” he notes. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my professional journey, my management style, how I manage others.”

Saints demonstrate appealing rugby, which proved literally true in the case of the French fly-half. The import was part of the opposing team defeated in the continental tournament in the spring when Freeman registered a triple. Belleau admired the style sufficiently to go against the flow of UK players joining Top 14 sides.

“An associate called me and stated: ‘We know of a Gallic number ten who’s looking for a team,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘We don’t have funds for a overseas star. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He desires new challenges, for the chance to prove his worth,’ my friend informed me. That intrigued us. We met with Anthony and his language skills was incredible, he was articulate, he had a funny side.

“We questioned: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He responded to be trained, to be challenged, to be facing unfamiliar situations and beyond the French league. I was saying: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he proved to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson states the emerging Henry Pollock brings a particular energy. Has he coached anyone comparable? “No,” Dowson responds. “Each person is unique but he is distinct and special in numerous aspects. He’s unafraid to be himself.”

The player's breathtaking touchdown against the Irish side last season showcased his unusual ability, but various his demonstrative in-game actions have led to claims of arrogance.

“He sometimes comes across as overconfident in his actions, but he’s far from it,” Dowson clarifies. “And Henry’s not joking around the whole time. In terms of strategy he has contributions – he’s no fool. I feel at times it’s portrayed that he’s just this idiot. But he’s clever and a positive influence within the team.”

Not many managers would claim to have sharing a close bond with a colleague, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with Sam Vesty.

“We both share an inquisitiveness around different things,” he says. “We maintain a reading group. He aims to discover everything, aims to learn everything, wants to experience varied activities, and I think I’m the similar.

“We converse on numerous topics beyond rugby: films, reading, concepts, culture. When we faced Stade [Français] in the past season, the landmark was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

One more date in Gall is approaching: The Saints' comeback with the English competition will be temporary because the European tournament intervenes next week. Their next opponents, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, are the opening fixture on Sunday week before the Bulls travel to a week later.

“I refuse to be arrogant to the extent to {