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This English town isn't exactly the most exotic location in the world, but its rugby union team offers a great deal of romance and adventure.

In a city renowned for boot‑making, you might expect kicking to be the Saints’ main approach. Yet under leader Phil Dowson, the team in the club's hues prefer to keep ball in hand.

Despite playing for a quintessentially English location, they display a style typical of the greatest French practitioners of attacking rugby.

Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have secured the Premiership and advanced far in the continental tournament – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and ousted by Dublin-based club in a last-four clash before that.

They lead the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to their West Country rivals on matchday as the only unbeaten side, chasing a initial success at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who played 262 elite games for various teams altogether, had long intended to be a trainer.

“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “Yet as you age, you realise how much you appreciate the sport, and what the everyday life is like. I worked briefly at a banking firm doing work experience. You make the journey a several occasions, and it was challenging – you see what you have going for you.”

Discussions with former mentors led to a role at the Saints. Move forward eight years and Dowson guides a squad progressively crammed with internationals: prominent figures were selected for England versus the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a significant influence off the bench in the national team's flawless campaign while the number ten, in time, will inherit the fly-half role.

Is the rise of this remarkable cohort because of the Saints’ culture, or is it chance?

“This is a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “My thanks go to the former director of rugby, who gave them opportunities, and we had difficult periods. But the experience they had as a group is certainly one of the factors they are so tight and so gifted.”

Dowson also mentions his predecessor, a former boss at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be coached by exceptionally insightful personalities,” he adds. “Jim had a major effect on my professional journey, my management style, how I interact with people.”

The team execute attractive football, which became obvious in the instance of Anthony Belleau. The import was a member of the opposing team beaten in the Champions Cup in April when the winger notched a three tries. The player admired the style to such an extent to go against the flow of English talent moving to France.

“A mate phoned me and said: ‘We've found a French 10 who’s looking for a team,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘There's no money for a imported playmaker. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He desires a fresh start, for the chance to test himself,’ my contact said. That interested me. We spoke to Belleau and his English was outstanding, he was articulate, he had a funny side.

“We questioned: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be trained, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and beyond the domestic competition. I was like: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he proved to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson says the 20-year-old Pollock provides a unique vitality. Has he encountered a player similar? “Not really,” Dowson answers. “Everyone’s individual but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s fearless to be himself.”

The player's sensational score against their opponents previously illustrated his exceptional skill, but some of his demonstrative in-game actions have brought allegations of arrogance.

“At times seems overconfident in his actions, but he’s far from it,” Dowson says. “Furthermore Henry’s not taking the piss the whole time. Tactically he has input – he’s not a clown. I feel at times it’s portrayed that he’s only a character. But he’s intelligent and good fun to have around.”

Hardly any directors of rugby would describe themselves as enjoying a tight friendship with a assistant, but that is how Dowson characterizes his connection with Sam Vesty.

“Together possess an curiosity around various topics,” he says. “We have a reading group. He desires to explore various elements, wants to know each detail, aims to encounter new experiences, and I believe I’m the alike.

“We converse on many things away from rugby: films, literature, ideas, culture. When we met the Parisian club in the past season, the cathedral was under renovation, so we had a brief exploration.”

A further fixture in France is approaching: Northampton’s return with the Prem will be brief because the Champions Cup takes over shortly. Their next opponents, in the foothills of the border region, are up first on the coming weekend before the South African team visit the following weekend.

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