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Northampton may not be the most exotic location in the world, but its rugby union team delivers a great deal of romance and adventure.

In a city renowned for boot‑making, you might expect punting to be the Saints’ modus operandi. But under leader Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold prefer to keep ball in hand.

Even though embodying a typically British town, they exhibit a flair synonymous with the best French masters of attacking rugby.

From the time Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have secured the domestic league and gone deep in the continental tournament – beaten by Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and eliminated by Dublin-based club in a semi-final previously.

They sit atop the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and visit Ashton Gate on matchday as the sole undefeated team, aiming for a maiden victory at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who featured in 262 elite matches for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, always planned to be a trainer.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “However as you mature, you realise how much you enjoy the sport, and what the real world looks like. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing an internship. You make the journey a few times, and it was challenging – you grasp what you possess and lack.”

Discussions with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder resulted in a job at Northampton. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson guides a team increasingly packed with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for England versus the New Zealand two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a profound impact from the replacements in the national team's successful series while the number ten, in time, will inherit the fly-half role.

Is the emergence of this outstanding cohort because of the team's ethos, or is it chance?

“It's a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who gave them opportunities, and we had challenging moments. But the experience they had as a unit is certainly one of the factors they are so tight and so skilled.”

Dowson also cites Mallinder, another predecessor at their stadium, as a key figure. “It was my good fortune to be guided by exceptionally insightful individuals,” he adds. “He had a big impact on my career, my training methods, how I deal with others.”

Saints demonstrate appealing football, which was clearly evident in the instance of the French fly-half. The Gallic player was involved with the French club defeated in the continental tournament in the spring when the winger registered a hat-trick. The player was impressed sufficiently to go against the flow of UK players joining Top 14 sides.

“A mate phoned me and remarked: ‘We've found a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a club,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘We lack the funds for a French fly-half. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the chance to prove his worth,’ my mate said. That caught my attention. We spoke to him and his language skills was outstanding, he was well-spoken, he had a witty personality.

“We questioned: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be trained, to be pushed, to be in a new environment and away from the French league. I was thinking: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a great person.’ And he proved to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson says the 20-year-old the flanker offers a particular enthusiasm. Has he encountered anyone similar? “Never,” Dowson answers. “Each person is original but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in numerous aspects. He’s fearless to be himself.”

Pollock’s sensational score against their opponents previously demonstrated his unusual ability, but a few of his expressive during matches antics have resulted in claims of cockiness.

“At times seems cocky in his conduct, but he’s far from it,” Dowson asserts. “Furthermore Henry’s not taking the piss constantly. Tactically he has input – he’s no fool. I feel sometimes it’s portrayed that he’s only a character. But he’s clever and great to have to have around.”

Hardly any coaches would admit to sharing a close bond with a head coach, but that is how Dowson characterizes his partnership with his co-coach.

“Sam and I possess an interest regarding various topics,” he explains. “We have a literary circle. He desires to explore various elements, aims to learn everything, desires to try varied activities, and I feel like I’m the alike.

“We talk about many topics beyond rugby: films, books, ideas, creativity. When we met our French rivals in the past season, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a little wander around.”

Another date in Gall is coming up: The Saints' return with the English competition will be short-lived because the Champions Cup intervenes shortly. The French side, in the vicinity of the border region, are the initial challenge on matchday before the Pretoria-based club travel to soon after.

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