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This English town isn't exactly the most exotic location globally, but its rugby union team offers plenty of romance and adventure.

In a place known for shoe production, you could anticipate boot work to be the Northampton's main approach. However under leader Phil Dowson, the side in green, black and gold prefer to run with the ball.

Even though playing for a typically British location, they showcase a panache associated with the best Gallic exponents of champagne rugby.

Since Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have won the domestic league and gone deep in the European competition – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in the ultimate match and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a penultimate round before that.

They currently top the competition ladder after a series of victories and one tie and travel to Ashton Gate on matchday as the only unbeaten side, chasing a initial success at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who participated in 262 top-flight games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, had long intended to be a coach.

“As a professional, I never seriously considered it,” he remarks. “However as you mature, you realise how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the everyday life entails. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You travel to work a several occasions, and it was difficult – you see what you have going for you.”

Talks with former mentors culminated in a position at the Saints. Jump ahead eight years and Dowson manages a roster increasingly filled with global stars: key individuals were selected for the Red Rose versus the New Zealand two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a major effect off the bench in the national team's successful series while the fly-half, eventually, will take over the fly-half role.

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

“It's a mix of each,” comments Dowson. “I would acknowledge Chris Boyd, who thrust them into action, and we had difficult periods. But the experience they had as a group is definitely one of the causes they are so close-knit and so skilled.”

Dowson also mentions Mallinder, another predecessor at their stadium, as a major influence. “I was lucky to be coached by highly engaging individuals,” he says. “Jim had a big impact on my professional journey, my training methods, how I manage others.”

The team execute attractive rugby, which became obvious in the example of Anthony Belleau. The Frenchman was part of the Clermont XV defeated in the European competition in April when the winger scored a hat-trick. He was impressed to such an extent to go against the flow of British stars heading across the Channel.

“A mate rang me and stated: ‘We know of a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a team,’” Dowson explains. “I said: ‘We don’t have funds for a French fly-half. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He wants new challenges, for the chance to prove his worth,’ my mate said. That intrigued us. We had a conversation with Anthony and his language skills was outstanding, he was articulate, he had a funny side.

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

Dowson says the emerging Henry Pollock brings a specific energy. Has he coached a player similar? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “Everyone’s original but Pollock is distinct and special in many ways. He’s fearless to be authentic.”

His sensational try against their opponents last season illustrated his exceptional ability, but some of his demonstrative in-game behavior have brought accusations of arrogance.

“At times appears cocky in his behavior, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “And he's not joking around all the time. Tactically he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I feel on occasion it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s intelligent and a positive influence to have around.”

Few directors of rugby would describe themselves as having a bromance with a head coach, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with Sam Vesty.

“Together possess an curiosity about various topics,” he says. “We maintain a literary circle. He desires to explore all aspects, wants to know all there is, aims to encounter different things, and I feel like I’m the similar.

“We converse on lots of topics outside the sport: movies, literature, ideas, art. When we met our French rivals last year, Notre-Dame was under renovation, so we had a brief exploration.”

One more date in the French nation is approaching: The Saints' comeback with the domestic league will be temporary because the continental event takes over soon. Pau, in the foothills of the border region, are the initial challenge on the coming weekend before the Pretoria-based club travel to the following weekend.

“I refuse to be arrogant sufficiently to {