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Northampton isn't exactly the most glamorous destination in the world, but its club offers plenty of romance and adventure.

In a place renowned for boot‑making, you could anticipate boot work to be the Saints’ primary strategy. However under head coach Phil Dowson, the side in green, black and gold opt to retain possession.

Although playing for a quintessentially English community, they showcase a panache typical of the greatest French exponents of champagne rugby.

Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the English top flight and progressed well in the Champions Cup – defeated by Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by the Irish province in a last-four clash before that.

They sit atop the league standings after multiple successes and a single stalemate and visit their West Country rivals on matchday as the only unbeaten side, aiming for a initial success at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who featured in 262 top-flight matches for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester combined, always planned to be a coach.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he remarks. “However as you get older, you understand how much you appreciate the sport, and what the everyday life entails. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing work experience. You make the journey a multiple instances, and it was challenging – you see what you have going for you.”

Conversations with former mentors led to a position at the Saints. Fast-forward a decade and Dowson guides a roster ever more filled with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles were selected for the national side versus the New Zealand two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a significant influence from the replacements in the national team's perfect autumn while the number ten, down the line, will assume the fly-half role.

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

“It is a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who basically just threw them in, and we had difficult periods. But the exposure they had as a collective is definitely one of the factors they are so united and so talented.”

Dowson also cites Mallinder, a former boss at the club's home, as a key figure. “It was my good fortune to be mentored by exceptionally insightful personalities,” he adds. “He had a significant influence on my professional journey, my coaching, how I interact with individuals.”

Northampton play appealing football, which became obvious in the example of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was part of the Clermont XV overcome in the continental tournament in last season when Tommy Freeman registered a three tries. Belleau was impressed enough to reverse the trend of British stars heading across the Channel.

“A friend phoned me and stated: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s in search of a club,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘We lack the funds for a French fly-half. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He desires new challenges, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my mate said. That intrigued us. We spoke to Anthony and his language skills was incredible, he was articulate, he had a funny side.

“We inquired: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He said to be guided, to be challenged, to be facing unfamiliar situations and outside the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he has been. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson says the young Pollock offers a specific vitality. Has he coached an individual comparable? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “Each person is original but Henry is different and unique in many ways. He’s fearless to be himself.”

His spectacular score against Leinster in the past campaign demonstrated his freakish skill, but a few of his expressive in-game behavior have brought claims of arrogance.

“He sometimes comes across as cocky in his conduct, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson asserts. “And Pollock is not taking the piss all the time. Tactically he has contributions – he’s no fool. I think on occasion it’s depicted that he’s merely a joker. But he’s intelligent and great to have to have around.”

Not many coaches would admit to enjoying a tight friendship with a colleague, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with Vesty.

“We both possess an inquisitiveness regarding different things,” he says. “We maintain a reading group. He desires to explore various elements, seeks to understand each detail, aims to encounter new experiences, and I feel like I’m the alike.

“We converse on many topics away from the sport: cinema, books, concepts, creativity. When we played the Parisian club last year, the landmark was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

Another fixture in the French nation is looming: The Saints' reacquaintance with the Prem will be temporary because the Champions Cup kicks in soon. Their next opponents, in the vicinity of the mountain range, are the initial challenge on matchday before the Bulls visit a week later.

“I won't be presumptuous to the extent to {