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This English town isn't exactly the most tropical destination on the planet, but its club offers a great deal of romance and adventure.

In a town renowned for boot‑making, you might expect punting to be the Northampton's modus operandi. Yet under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in their distinctive colors opt to retain possession.

Although representing a distinctly UK community, they showcase a flair synonymous with the best French masters of champagne rugby.

From the time Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have won the English top flight and advanced far in the Champions Cup – beaten by a French side in the ultimate match and knocked out by the Irish province in a penultimate round earlier.

They sit atop the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and travel to Bristol on matchday as the only unbeaten side, aiming for a first win at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who played 262 premier matches for various teams combined, had long intended to be a trainer.

“As a professional, I never seriously considered it,” he remarks. “Yet as you age, you comprehend how much you appreciate the sport, and what the everyday life is like. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing work experience. You make the journey a few times, and it was difficult – you see what you do and don’t have.”

Discussions with club legends culminated in a position at the Saints. Fast-forward a decade and Dowson manages a squad progressively packed with global stars: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles lined up for the Red Rose facing the All Blacks two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a profound impact as a substitute in the national team's flawless campaign while the number ten, eventually, will inherit the fly-half role.

Is the emergence of this outstanding generation attributable to the Saints’ culture, or is it luck?

“It is a mix of each,” states Dowson. “My thanks go to Chris Boyd, who basically just threw them in, and we had some tough days. But the experience they had as a unit is certainly one of the causes they are so tight and so talented.”

Dowson also cites his predecessor, another predecessor at the club's home, as a major influence. “I was lucky to be coached by highly engaging individuals,” he says. “Mallinder had a major effect on my professional journey, my training methods, how I deal with people.”

Northampton execute attractive football, which was clearly evident in the instance of Anthony Belleau. The import was a member of the opposing team overcome in the European competition in April when the winger registered a three tries. Belleau liked what he saw sufficiently to reverse the trend of UK players heading across the Channel.

“A mate rang me and stated: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s looking for a club,’” Dowson recalls. “My response was: ‘We lack the money for a overseas star. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my contact said. That interested me. We had a conversation with Belleau and his language skills was outstanding, he was eloquent, he had a sense of humour.

“We questioned: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He responded to be guided, to be driven, to be in a new environment and beyond the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he has been. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson comments the young Henry Pollock brings a specific vitality. Has he encountered anyone comparable? “No,” Dowson replies. “All players are individual but he is different and unique in numerous aspects. He’s fearless to be authentic.”

Pollock’s spectacular score against their opponents previously showcased his unusual skill, but some of his demonstrative in-game actions have resulted in allegations of arrogance.

“On occasion appears overconfident in his behavior, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson says. “And he's not taking the piss the whole time. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I feel at times it’s depicted that he’s merely a joker. But he’s bright and great to have in the squad.”

Not many managers would claim to have sharing a close bond with a head coach, but that is how Dowson describes his connection with Vesty.

“Together have an interest regarding various topics,” he says. “We maintain a reading group. He aims to discover various elements, aims to learn all there is, wants to experience varied activities, and I think I’m the alike.

“We converse on lots of subjects outside the sport: movies, books, thoughts, creativity. When we played our French rivals last year, the cathedral was being done up, so we had a quick look.”

One more date in the French nation is looming: Northampton’s comeback with the English competition will be temporary because the Champions Cup takes over shortly. Their next opponents, in the foothills of the border region, are the opening fixture on the coming weekend before the Bulls visit soon after.

“I won't be arrogant to the extent to {