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This English town isn't exactly the most tropical location in the world, but its squad delivers an abundance of thrills and drama.

In a city famous for footwear manufacturing, you might expect punting to be the Northampton's primary strategy. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors prefer to run with the ball.

Although embodying a typically British community, they display a panache associated with the greatest French masters of champagne rugby.

After Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have secured the Premiership and progressed well in the continental tournament – beaten by a French side in last season’s final and ousted by Leinster in a penultimate round before that.

They currently top the Prem table after four wins and a draw and visit their West Country rivals on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, seeking a maiden victory at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who participated in 262 premier fixtures for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, always planned to be a coach.

“As a professional, I never seriously considered it,” he remarks. “But as you mature, you comprehend how much you love the sport, and what the everyday life looks like. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You do the commute a few times, and it was tough – you realise what you possess and lack.”

Talks with former mentors culminated in a job at Northampton. Jump ahead eight years and Dowson guides a squad increasingly crammed with internationals: prominent figures started for the national side against the New Zealand two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a significant influence as a substitute in England’s perfect autumn while the fly-half, down the line, will assume the pivotal position.

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

“It is a bit of both,” says Dowson. “My thanks go to Chris Boyd, who thrust them into action, and we had difficult periods. But the practice they had as a collective is certainly one of the causes they are so tight and so gifted.”

Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, a former boss at their stadium, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be coached by highly engaging people,” he notes. “Jim had a significant influence on my rugby life, my coaching, how I interact with others.”

Saints play appealing football, which was clearly evident in the case of Anthony Belleau. The import was a member of the Clermont XV defeated in the Champions Cup in the spring when the winger scored a three tries. Belleau was impressed enough to reverse the trend of British stars joining Top 14 sides.

“An associate rang me and stated: ‘There’s a Gallic number ten who’s looking for a club,’” Dowson explains. “I said: ‘There's no budget for a French fly-half. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for experience, for the possibility to test himself,’ my mate told me. That interested me. We had a conversation with Anthony and his English was incredible, he was well-spoken, he had a funny side.

“We questioned: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He responded to be coached, to be pushed, to be in a new environment and beyond the French league. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson states the 20-year-old Pollock provides a unique enthusiasm. Does he know an individual like him? “Never,” Dowson responds. “Each person is original but Pollock is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s fearless to be who he is.”

Pollock’s spectacular score against the Irish side last season demonstrated his freakish ability, but a few of his animated on-field antics have brought accusations of arrogance.

“He sometimes comes across as arrogant in his actions, but he’s far from it,” Dowson asserts. “Plus Pollock is being serious constantly. Game-wise he has input – he’s a smart player. I feel sometimes it’s portrayed that he’s only a character. But he’s intelligent and good fun in the squad.”

Few coaches would describe themselves as having a bromance with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with his co-coach.

“We both possess an inquisitiveness regarding various topics,” he explains. “We maintain a book club. He wants to see everything, seeks to understand everything, desires to try varied activities, and I think I’m the alike.

“We discuss lots of things outside the sport: movies, literature, thoughts, art. When we met Stade [Français] previously, the cathedral was undergoing restoration, so we had a little wander around.”

A further fixture in Gall is coming up: The Saints' reacquaintance with the domestic league will be temporary because the Champions Cup intervenes shortly. Pau, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, are the opening fixture on the coming weekend before the Pretoria-based club travel to a week later.

“I refuse to be overconfident sufficiently to {