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This English town is hardly the most exotic destination in the world, but its club provides an abundance of thrills and drama.

In a town renowned for boot‑making, you could anticipate punting to be the Northampton's main approach. Yet under leader Phil Dowson, the team in green, black and gold choose to run with the ball.

Despite representing a distinctly UK town, they exhibit a style typical of the greatest French exponents of champagne rugby.

From the time Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have won the Premiership and gone deep in the Champions Cup – beaten by a French side in the previous campaign's decider and eliminated by the Irish province in a semi-final previously.

They lead the competition ladder after a series of victories and one tie and head to their West Country rivals on matchday as the just one without a loss, chasing a initial success at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who played 262 top-flight games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester combined, always planned to be a trainer.

“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “But as you get older, you comprehend how much you enjoy the game, and what the normal employment looks like. I had a stint at a financial institution doing work experience. You travel to work a multiple instances, and it was difficult – you grasp what you possess and lack.”

Conversations with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a job at Northampton. Move forward a decade and Dowson manages a team ever more packed with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for the Red Rose versus the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a major effect as a substitute in England’s flawless campaign while Fin Smith, down the line, will assume the fly-half role.

Is the development of this remarkable generation attributable to the club's environment, or is it chance?

“This is a bit of both,” comments Dowson. “I would acknowledge the former director of rugby, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the practice they had as a collective is undoubtedly one of the reasons they are so tight and so gifted.”

Dowson also cites his predecessor, an earlier coach at their stadium, as a key figure. “It was my good fortune to be guided by highly engaging individuals,” he says. “Jim had a major effect on my career, my coaching, how I interact with people.”

Saints execute attractive the game, which proved literally true in the case of Anthony Belleau. The Frenchman was a member of the French club beaten in the European competition in the spring when Freeman notched a three tries. He liked what he saw to such an extent to go against the flow of British stars joining Top 14 sides.

“A mate rang me and said: ‘We've found a fly-half from France who’s seeking a club,’” Dowson recalls. “I replied: ‘There's no funds for a French fly-half. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He desires new challenges, for the possibility to prove his worth,’ my mate told me. That interested me. We met with him and his English was outstanding, he was well-spoken, he had a funny side.

“We asked: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He responded to be guided, to be challenged, to be in a new environment and away from the French league. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he turned out to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the young Pollock offers a specific enthusiasm. Has he coached a player like him? “Never,” Dowson responds. “All players are unique but Henry is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be who he is.”

His breathtaking try against the Irish side previously showcased his freakish skill, but some of his animated during matches actions have brought claims of arrogance.

“At times appears cocky in his behavior, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson says. “Furthermore Henry’s not taking the piss all the time. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s no fool. I feel sometimes it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s bright and great to have in the squad.”

Not many directors of rugby would admit to having a bromance with a colleague, but that is how Dowson describes his connection with Vesty.

“We both share an inquisitiveness regarding diverse subjects,” he says. “We have a literary circle. He desires to explore all aspects, aims to learn each detail, wants to experience different things, and I believe I’m the same.

“We talk about lots of topics away from rugby: cinema, books, ideas, culture. When we played the Parisian club previously, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

One more date in France is looming: The Saints' reacquaintance with the English competition will be short-lived because the Champions Cup intervenes next week. Pau, in the shadow of the mountain range, are up first on matchday before the Bulls arrive at a week later.

“I refuse to be presumptuous enough to {