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This English town isn't exactly the most exotic location on the planet, but its squad offers a great deal of excitement and passion.

In a town famous for shoe production, you could anticipate boot work to be the Northampton's main approach. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in the club's hues opt to retain possession.

Even though representing a typically British community, they display a style associated with the greatest French exponents of champagne rugby.

From the time Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have won the Premiership and gone deep in the continental tournament – defeated by their Gallic opponents in last season’s final and ousted by Dublin-based club in a semi-final earlier.

They sit atop the league standings after four wins and a draw and head to Bristol on matchday as the only unbeaten side, aiming for a initial success at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who played 262 elite matches for various teams combined, always planned to be a coach.

“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “However as you mature, you realise how much you enjoy the game, and what the normal employment looks like. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You make the journey a several occasions, and it was challenging – you grasp what you possess and lack.”

Talks with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder resulted in a role at Northampton. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson leads a roster progressively filled with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for the national side facing the New Zealand two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a major effect as a substitute in the national team's successful series while Fin Smith, in time, will take over the fly-half role.

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

“It is a mix of each,” states Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who basically just threw them in, and we had difficult periods. But the practice they had as a unit is definitely one of the causes they are so close-knit and so gifted.”

Dowson also cites Mallinder, another predecessor at Franklin’s Gardens, as a significant mentor. “It was my good fortune to be mentored by really interesting personalities,” he says. “He had a big impact on my career, my coaching, how I interact with individuals.”

Saints execute entertaining football, which became obvious in the example of the French fly-half. The import was involved with the opposing team beaten in the Champions Cup in the spring when the winger registered a triple. Belleau was impressed enough to go against the flow of English talent moving to France.

“A friend rang me and remarked: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘There's no money for a imported playmaker. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my friend said. That intrigued us. We spoke to Anthony and his communication was incredible, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.

“We inquired: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He answered to be trained, to be challenged, to be facing unfamiliar situations and away from the French league. I was saying: ‘Join us, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he turned out to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson states the emerging Henry Pollock provides a unique vitality. Has he encountered a player similar? “Never,” Dowson responds. “Each person is original but he is distinct and special in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be authentic.”

The player's breathtaking score against Leinster in the past campaign illustrated his unusual talent, but some of his animated in-game antics have led to claims of arrogance.

“On occasion comes across as cocky in his actions, but he’s far from it,” Dowson clarifies. “And he's not joking around constantly. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s not a clown. I believe at times it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s intelligent and a positive influence within the team.”

Not many directors of rugby would claim to have sharing a close bond with a assistant, but that is how Dowson describes his relationship with Sam Vesty.

“Together possess an curiosity about diverse subjects,” he explains. “We maintain a literary circle. He wants to see all aspects, seeks to understand each detail, aims to encounter different things, and I believe I’m the alike.

“We converse on numerous subjects away from the game: cinema, reading, concepts, art. When we played our French rivals in the past season, the cathedral was undergoing restoration, so we had a brief exploration.”

One more fixture in Gall is coming up: The Saints' comeback with the Prem will be brief because the European tournament kicks in shortly. The French side, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, are the opening fixture on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club arrive at a week later.

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