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Northampton may not be the most exotic destination on the planet, but its rugby union team offers plenty of romance and adventure.

In a city famous for shoe production, you might expect kicking to be the Saints’ primary strategy. But under leader Phil Dowson, the team in the club's hues prefer to retain possession.

Although playing for a typically British community, they exhibit a flair synonymous with the greatest Gallic exponents of attacking rugby.

After Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have secured the Premiership and progressed well in the Champions Cup – losing to their Gallic opponents in the ultimate match and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a last-four clash before that.

They currently top the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and travel to their West Country rivals on matchday as the sole undefeated team, chasing a maiden victory at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who played 262 elite matches for various teams in total, had long intended to be a coach.

“When I played, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “However as you mature, you understand how much you appreciate the sport, and what the normal employment looks like. I had a stint at a banking firm doing work experience. You do the commute a few times, and it was challenging – you grasp what you do and don’t have.”

Talks with former mentors led to a role at the Saints. Move forward a decade and Dowson guides a team ever more filled with national team players: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles lined up for England facing the New Zealand two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a profound impact as a substitute in England’s perfect autumn while the fly-half, eventually, will assume the No 10 jersey.

Is the rise of this outstanding cohort attributable to the Saints’ culture, or is it luck?

“It is a bit of both,” comments Dowson. “I would acknowledge Chris Boyd, who basically just threw them in, and we had difficult periods. But the practice they had as a collective is certainly one of the reasons they are so tight and so gifted.”

Dowson also namechecks his predecessor, an earlier coach at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “It was my good fortune to be mentored by exceptionally insightful individuals,” he notes. “Mallinder had a major effect on my professional journey, my training methods, how I interact with individuals.”

Northampton demonstrate entertaining football, which was clearly evident in the instance of their new signing. The Gallic player was involved with the Clermont XV overcome in the continental tournament in the spring when Freeman registered a three tries. The player liked what he saw to such an extent to buck the pattern of UK players joining Top 14 sides.

“A mate called me and stated: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s looking for a side,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘There's no funds for a overseas star. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He desires a fresh start, for the chance to challenge himself,’ my contact informed me. That interested me. We met with Anthony and his communication was incredible, he was well-spoken, he had a funny side.

“We inquired: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He responded to be trained, to be driven, to be outside his comfort zone and outside the French league. I was thinking: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he has been. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson comments the 20-year-old the flanker provides a unique vitality. Does he know an individual like him? “No,” Dowson replies. “Everyone’s individual but he is different and unique in numerous aspects. He’s fearless to be who he is.”

Pollock’s spectacular touchdown against the Irish side in the past campaign showcased his freakish talent, but various his demonstrative during matches behavior have resulted in allegations of arrogance.

“At times seems arrogant in his behavior, but he’s far from it,” Dowson clarifies. “Plus he's not taking the piss the whole time. In terms of strategy he has input – he’s a smart player. I feel at times it’s depicted that he’s merely a joker. But he’s intelligent and good fun in the squad.”

Not many managers would claim to have enjoying a tight friendship with a colleague, but that is how Dowson characterizes his partnership with Vesty.

“Sam and I have an inquisitiveness about various topics,” he says. “We have a reading group. He wants to see various elements, aims to learn each detail, wants to experience new experiences, and I believe I’m the alike.

“We talk about numerous things beyond the sport: movies, literature, thoughts, culture. When we played the Parisian club in the past season, the landmark was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

Another match in Gall is approaching: The Saints' reacquaintance with the domestic league will be short-lived because the continental event kicks in shortly. Their next opponents, in the shadow of the border region, are up first on the coming weekend before the South African team travel to a week later.

“I won't be overconfident enough to {