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Northampton isn't exactly the most tropical location in the world, but its club delivers a great deal of thrills and drama.

In a city renowned for boot‑making, you would think boot work to be the Saints’ main approach. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors opt to keep ball in hand.

Despite playing for a typically British community, they exhibit a flair synonymous with the greatest Gallic masters of champagne rugby.

Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have secured the domestic league and progressed well in the European competition – beaten by their Gallic opponents in last season’s final and eliminated by the Irish province in a penultimate round earlier.

They sit atop the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to their West Country rivals on matchday as the just one without a loss, seeking a maiden victory at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who featured in 262 top-flight games for multiple clubs altogether, consistently aimed to be a trainer.

“As a professional, I never seriously considered it,” he states. “But as you get older, you comprehend how much you enjoy the game, and what the normal employment is like. I worked briefly at a banking firm doing an internship. You do the commute a several occasions, and it was challenging – you realise what you do and don’t have.”

Talks with former mentors led to a position at the Saints. Fast-forward eight years and Dowson manages a roster increasingly filled with national team players: key individuals started for the national side facing the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a significant influence as a substitute in England’s perfect autumn while the fly-half, in time, will inherit the No 10 jersey.

Is the rise of this outstanding generation due to the Saints’ culture, or is it chance?

“This is a mix of each,” comments Dowson. “I would acknowledge Chris Boyd, who gave them opportunities, and we had difficult periods. But the exposure they had as a collective is certainly one of the reasons they are so united and so talented.”

Dowson also namechecks Mallinder, another predecessor at their stadium, as a major influence. “I was lucky to be guided by really interesting personalities,” he adds. “He had a major effect on my professional journey, my coaching, how I interact with others.”

The team execute appealing rugby, which was clearly evident in the case of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was part of the opposing team overcome in the continental tournament in the spring when Tommy Freeman scored a three tries. Belleau was impressed to such an extent to buck the pattern of British stars joining Top 14 sides.

“A friend called me and stated: ‘We've found a French 10 who’s in search of a club,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘We lack the money for a French fly-half. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He desires new challenges, for the possibility to test himself,’ my contact said. That caught my attention. We had a conversation with him and his communication was excellent, he was articulate, he had a funny side.

“We questioned: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be guided, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and beyond the domestic competition. I was saying: ‘Join us, you’re a great person.’ And he has been. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the 20-year-old Henry Pollock offers a specific vitality. Has he encountered anyone similar? “No,” Dowson replies. “All players are individual but Henry is unusual and remarkable in numerous aspects. He’s not afraid to be himself.”

Pollock’s spectacular try against their opponents last season showcased his unusual talent, but some of his expressive on-field actions have resulted in allegations of cockiness.

“On occasion seems arrogant in his actions, but he’s far from it,” Dowson clarifies. “And he's not taking the piss all the time. In terms of strategy he has input – he’s no fool. I feel on occasion it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and good fun within the team.”

Not many directors of rugby would admit to having a bromance with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with Sam Vesty.

“Sam and I have an inquisitiveness regarding diverse subjects,” he notes. “We maintain a literary circle. He aims to discover all aspects, seeks to understand everything, desires to try different things, and I believe I’m the same.

“We converse on many subjects away from rugby: movies, literature, ideas, culture. When we met our French rivals in the past season, the cathedral was under renovation, so we had a brief exploration.”

One more date in France is coming up: The Saints' reacquaintance with the domestic league will be temporary because the Champions Cup takes over next week. Pau, in the vicinity of the border region, are the opening fixture on Sunday week before the South African team visit the following weekend.

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