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Northampton may not be the most exotic location on the planet, but its rugby union team delivers plenty of thrills and drama.

In a city renowned for boot‑making, you would think punting to be the Saints’ primary strategy. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold opt to retain possession.

Although embodying a quintessentially English community, they exhibit a style associated with the best French masters of champagne rugby.

Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the Premiership and gone deep in the continental tournament – defeated by Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by Leinster in a penultimate round previously.

They currently top the competition ladder after four wins and a draw and visit their West Country rivals on the weekend as the sole undefeated team, seeking a first win at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who played 262 top-flight fixtures for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester combined, had long intended to be a manager.

“As a professional, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “Yet as you mature, you realise how much you love the rugby, and what the everyday life looks like. I spent some time at a banking firm doing work experience. You travel to work a multiple instances, and it was difficult – you see what you do and don’t have.”

Conversations with former mentors led to a role at the Saints. Jump ahead several seasons and Dowson guides a roster increasingly filled with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles lined up for the Red Rose against the New Zealand two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a major effect as a substitute in England’s successful series while the fly-half, down the line, will take over the pivotal position.

Is the emergence of this outstanding cohort attributable to the club's environment, or is it fortune?

“It's a mix of each,” says Dowson. “I would acknowledge an ex-coach, who thrust them into action, and we had difficult periods. But the experience they had as a collective is definitely one of the causes they are so tight and so talented.”

Dowson also mentions Mallinder, an earlier coach at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “It was my good fortune to be guided by exceptionally insightful individuals,” he says. “Jim had a big impact on my career, my training methods, how I interact with people.”

Saints demonstrate entertaining rugby, which proved literally true in the example of their new signing. The Frenchman was involved with the opposing team overcome in the Champions Cup in last season when Tommy Freeman notched a three tries. The player admired the style sufficiently to reverse the trend of British stars moving to France.

“A friend called me and remarked: ‘There’s a fly-half from France who’s in search of a team,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘We lack the money for a overseas star. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He desires new challenges, for the chance to test himself,’ my mate told me. That caught my attention. We met with him and his language skills was incredible, he was eloquent, he had a sense of humour.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He answered to be trained, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the domestic competition. I was like: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he has been. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson says the 20-year-old the flanker brings a particular energy. Does he know anyone comparable? “Not really,” Dowson responds. “Everyone’s original but Pollock is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be himself.”

Pollock’s spectacular touchdown against the Irish side in the past campaign demonstrated his freakish ability, but various his demonstrative in-game actions have led to claims of arrogance.

“At times comes across as cocky in his actions, but he’s not,” Dowson says. “And he's being serious all the time. Game-wise he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I believe at times it’s depicted that he’s only a character. But he’s bright and a positive influence in the squad.”

Hardly any managers would admit to sharing a close bond with a head coach, but that is how Dowson describes his relationship with Vesty.

“Sam and I share an interest around diverse subjects,” he says. “We have a literary circle. He aims to discover everything, aims to learn everything, desires to try varied activities, and I believe I’m the same.

“We talk about numerous things away from the game: movies, literature, thoughts, culture. When we faced the Parisian club in the past season, the landmark was being done up, so we had a quick look.”

One more fixture in the French nation is looming: Northampton’s return with the English competition will be short-lived because the Champions Cup takes over soon. Their next opponents, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are up first on the coming weekend before the Pretoria-based club visit soon after.

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