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This English town is hardly the most glamorous spot in the world, but its club provides a great deal of romance and adventure.

In a city known for shoe production, you could anticipate punting to be the Northampton's primary strategy. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the side in their distinctive colors opt to run with the ball.

Despite playing for a typically British town, they display a style associated with the best French exponents of champagne rugby.

After Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have won the domestic league and progressed well in the European competition – defeated by a French side in the ultimate match and ousted by Dublin-based club in a semi-final before that.

They sit atop the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and head to Bristol on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, seeking a maiden victory at Ashton Gate since 2021.

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

“When I played, I never seriously considered it,” he says. “But as you get older, you realise how much you appreciate the rugby, and what the real world looks like. I had a stint at a banking firm doing a trial period. You travel to work a several occasions, and it was challenging – you grasp what you possess and lack.”

Conversations with club legends culminated in a job at Northampton. Jump ahead a decade and Dowson manages a team progressively filled with national team players: key individuals were selected for England against the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a major effect off the bench in England’s perfect autumn while the fly-half, in time, will inherit the fly-half role.

Is the development of this exceptional group due to the club's environment, or is it fortune?

“It is a combination of the two,” states Dowson. “My thanks go to an ex-coach, who basically just threw them in, and we had some tough days. But the experience they had as a group is undoubtedly one of the factors they are so united and so talented.”

Dowson also mentions his predecessor, a former boss at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “It was my good fortune to be guided by really interesting personalities,” he adds. “He had a big impact on my career, my training methods, how I interact with people.”

Northampton execute attractive the game, which became obvious in the case of their new signing. The Gallic player was a member of the Clermont XV defeated in the European competition in April when the winger notched a hat-trick. Belleau admired the style sufficiently to buck the pattern of UK players joining Top 14 sides.

“A friend called me and remarked: ‘We've found a fly-half from France who’s looking for a team,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘We lack the budget for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He desires experience, for the opportunity to prove his worth,’ my contact said. That caught my attention. We had a conversation with him and his communication was excellent, he was eloquent, he had a funny side.

“We questioned: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He answered to be coached, to be driven, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he has been. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson comments the 20-year-old Pollock brings a unique enthusiasm. Has he encountered a player comparable? “Not really,” Dowson responds. “All players are individual but Pollock is different and unique in numerous aspects. He’s not afraid to be who he is.”

His sensational score against the Irish side previously illustrated his exceptional skill, but various his demonstrative during matches actions have brought allegations of arrogance.

“At times appears arrogant in his behavior, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson says. “Plus he's not taking the piss the whole time. In terms of strategy he has input – he’s not a clown. I think on occasion it’s shown that he’s merely a joker. But he’s clever and a positive influence within the team.”

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

“Together possess an interest regarding diverse subjects,” he notes. “We have a reading group. He aims to discover all aspects, aims to learn all there is, aims to encounter varied activities, and I feel like I’m the similar.

“We discuss lots of subjects away from the sport: movies, reading, concepts, culture. When we met our French rivals last year, Notre-Dame was under renovation, so we had a quick look.”

One more fixture in France is looming: Northampton’s comeback with the domestic league will be brief because the European tournament intervenes soon. Pau, in the shadow of the border region, are up first on the coming weekend before the Pretoria-based club travel to the following weekend.

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