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This English town may not be the most glamorous spot globally, but its club offers an abundance of romance and adventure.

In a place renowned for shoe production, you could anticipate boot work to be the Saints’ modus operandi. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in the club's hues opt to run with the ball.

Although playing for a quintessentially English location, they showcase a panache synonymous with the finest French exponents of champagne rugby.

Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have won the English top flight and advanced far in the continental tournament – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and eliminated by Leinster in a semi-final before that.

They currently top the league standings after four wins and a draw and head to their West Country rivals on matchday as the only unbeaten side, aiming for a first win at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who featured in 262 top-flight games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, consistently aimed to be a trainer.

“As a professional, I never seriously considered it,” he remarks. “However as you get older, you realise how much you enjoy the game, and what the normal employment is like. I worked briefly at a banking firm doing work experience. You do the commute a few times, and it was challenging – you see what you have going for you.”

Talks with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder led to a job at the Saints. Move forward eight years and Dowson guides a squad progressively crammed with national team players: key individuals were selected for the national side against the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a profound impact as a substitute in the national team's perfect autumn while the number ten, in time, will assume the No 10 jersey.

Is the rise of this outstanding group attributable to the team's ethos, or is it fortune?

“It is a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to Chris Boyd, who basically just threw them in, and we had challenging moments. But the experience they had as a collective is definitely one of the causes they are so close-knit and so talented.”

Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at the club's home, as a major influence. “I’ve been fortunate to be guided by exceptionally insightful people,” he notes. “He had a big impact on my professional journey, my training methods, how I deal with others.”

Northampton demonstrate entertaining the game, which became obvious in the case of Anthony Belleau. The import was involved with the Clermont XV overcome in the continental tournament in April when the winger registered a hat-trick. He was impressed enough to reverse the trend of UK players heading across the Channel.

“A friend rang me and stated: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s looking for a side,’” Dowson recalls. “My response was: ‘We lack the budget for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He wants new challenges, for the opportunity to challenge himself,’ my mate told me. That intrigued us. We spoke to him and his language skills was outstanding, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.

“We asked: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be coached, to be pushed, to be facing unfamiliar situations and away from the Top 14. I was like: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a great person.’ And he proved to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the 20-year-old the flanker offers a unique energy. Has he coached a player similar? “Never,” Dowson responds. “Each person is original but Henry is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s fearless to be who he is.”

Pollock’s sensational score against their opponents in the past campaign showcased his freakish talent, but a few of his animated during matches antics have led to claims of overconfidence.

“He sometimes appears overconfident in his behavior, but he’s far from it,” Dowson says. “Furthermore Henry’s not taking the piss constantly. In terms of strategy he has contributions – he’s a smart player. I believe on occasion 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 having a bromance with a colleague, but that is how Dowson characterizes his relationship with Vesty.

“Sam and I have an curiosity around diverse subjects,” he explains. “We run a literary circle. He desires to explore everything, aims to learn everything, aims to encounter different things, and I believe I’m the alike.

“We converse on lots of subjects outside the game: cinema, literature, concepts, art. When we faced Stade [Français] previously, the landmark was under renovation, so we had a quick look.”

A further fixture in the French nation is approaching: The Saints' reacquaintance with the domestic league will be temporary because the continental event kicks in shortly. Pau, in the vicinity of the mountain range, are the opening fixture on Sunday week before the South African team visit a week later.

“I refuse to be overconfident enough to {