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Northampton may not be the most tropical spot globally, but its rugby union team delivers plenty of excitement and passion.

In a town known for footwear manufacturing, you might expect punting to be the Northampton's primary strategy. However under leader Phil Dowson, the team in green, black and gold prefer to keep ball in hand.

Despite representing a typically British community, they exhibit a style associated with the best French exponents of champagne rugby.

Since Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the English top flight and advanced far in the continental tournament – defeated by Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and ousted by the Irish province in a last-four clash earlier.

They currently top the Prem table after four wins and a draw and travel to their West Country rivals on matchday as the just one without a loss, seeking a first win at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who featured in 262 elite games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, had long intended to be a manager.

“When I played, I never seriously considered it,” he says. “Yet as you age, you realise how much you appreciate the rugby, and what the everyday life entails. I spent some time at a banking firm doing an internship. You make the journey a few times, and it was challenging – you realise what you possess and lack.”

Talks with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder resulted in a role at the Saints. Move forward several seasons and Dowson guides a roster increasingly filled with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles were selected for the national side against the All Blacks two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a major effect from the replacements in England’s successful series while the fly-half, in time, will assume the pivotal position.

Is the emergence of this exceptional group attributable to the team's ethos, or is it luck?

“This is a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “I’d credit an ex-coach, who thrust them into action, and we had difficult periods. But the practice they had as a group is definitely one of the causes they are so united and so gifted.”

Dowson also cites Mallinder, another predecessor at Franklin’s Gardens, as a significant mentor. “I’ve been fortunate to be coached by highly engaging individuals,” he adds. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my professional journey, my management style, how I deal with individuals.”

Saints play appealing the game, which became obvious in the case of Anthony Belleau. The import was involved with the opposing team beaten in the Champions Cup in April when the winger registered a three tries. Belleau was impressed to such an extent to reverse the trend of UK players heading across the Channel.

“A mate phoned me and stated: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘We lack the money for a imported playmaker. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He desires new challenges, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my mate informed me. That caught my attention. We met with Belleau and his language skills was incredible, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.

“We questioned: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be coached, to be driven, to be in a new environment and outside the French league. I was thinking: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson says the emerging the flanker brings a particular vitality. Has he encountered an individual like him? “Never,” Dowson replies. “All players are original but he is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”

Pollock’s spectacular try against Leinster last season demonstrated his exceptional ability, but various his demonstrative during matches actions have resulted in allegations of cockiness.

“He sometimes comes across as overconfident in his conduct, but he’s far from it,” Dowson asserts. “And Henry’s being serious constantly. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I believe at times it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s intelligent and great to have within the team.”

Not many managers would describe themselves as enjoying a tight friendship with a head coach, but that is how Dowson characterizes his partnership with Sam Vesty.

“Together have an curiosity about diverse subjects,” he says. “We maintain a reading group. He wants to see all aspects, aims to learn each detail, desires to try varied activities, and I feel like I’m the same.

“We talk about numerous subjects outside the game: cinema, books, thoughts, culture. When we met our French rivals previously, the landmark was under renovation, so we had a little wander around.”

A further date in Gall is coming up: The Saints' return with the English competition will be short-lived because the continental event intervenes shortly. The French side, in the foothills of the mountain range, are up first on matchday before the Bulls arrive at a week later.

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