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Northampton may not be the most exotic spot in the world, but its squad delivers plenty of excitement and passion.

In a place renowned for boot‑making, you might expect punting to be the Northampton's primary strategy. Yet under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold prefer to run with the ball.

Even though representing a typically British town, they showcase a style synonymous with the finest French practitioners of attacking rugby.

From the time Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have secured the Premiership and advanced far in the Champions Cup – defeated by their Gallic opponents in the ultimate match and eliminated by Leinster in a last-four clash before that.

They currently top the competition ladder after four wins and a draw and travel to Ashton Gate on matchday as the sole undefeated team, aiming for a maiden victory at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who participated in 262 top-flight matches for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, consistently aimed to be a coach.

“As a professional, I never seriously considered it,” he remarks. “Yet as you mature, you comprehend how much you love the game, and what the normal employment entails. I spent some time at a banking firm doing work experience. You travel to work a multiple instances, and it was challenging – you grasp what you possess and lack.”

Discussions with former mentors resulted in a position at the Saints. Move forward a decade and Dowson leads a roster increasingly crammed with global stars: key individuals started for England versus the All Blacks two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a profound impact off the bench in the national team's flawless campaign while the number ten, in time, will inherit the fly-half role.

Is the emergence of this exceptional generation due to the Saints’ culture, or is it chance?

“It is a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “I would acknowledge Chris Boyd, who basically just threw them in, and we had challenging moments. But the exposure they had as a collective is certainly one of the factors they are so close-knit and so talented.”

Dowson also namechecks his predecessor, a former boss at their stadium, as a major influence. “I was lucky to be guided by exceptionally insightful personalities,” he adds. “Mallinder had a major effect on my rugby life, my coaching, how I manage others.”

Saints execute attractive the game, which became obvious in the example of the French fly-half. The import was part of the Clermont XV beaten in the European competition in the spring when Freeman registered a triple. He admired the style to such an extent to go against the flow of UK players moving to France.

“An associate phoned me and said: ‘There’s a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘There's no money for a French fly-half. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He desires experience, for the opportunity to test himself,’ my friend informed me. That interested me. We met with Belleau and his communication was incredible, he was well-spoken, he had a witty personality.

“We questioned: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He answered to be coached, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and away from the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he has been. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson states the young Pollock offers a specific enthusiasm. Does he know a player like him? “No,” Dowson replies. “Each person is unique but he is distinct and special in numerous aspects. He’s unafraid to be who he is.”

Pollock’s spectacular try against their opponents previously showcased his exceptional talent, but various his animated on-field actions have resulted in allegations of overconfidence.

“He sometimes appears cocky in his conduct, but he’s far from it,” Dowson says. “Furthermore he's being serious constantly. In terms of strategy he has contributions – he’s a smart player. I think at times it’s depicted that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and good fun to have around.”

Few managers would claim to have sharing a close bond with a colleague, but that is how Dowson describes his relationship with Sam Vesty.

“Sam and I share an inquisitiveness around various topics,” he says. “We maintain a literary circle. He desires to explore everything, wants to know each detail, wants to experience new experiences, and I believe I’m the alike.

“We converse on many topics outside rugby: films, literature, concepts, art. When we met our French rivals last year, Notre-Dame was under renovation, so we had a brief exploration.”

Another fixture in Gall is looming: The Saints' comeback with the English competition will be brief because the continental event kicks in shortly. Pau, in the shadow of the Pyrenees, are the opening fixture on the coming weekend before the South African team visit soon after.

“I refuse to be presumptuous enough to {