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Northampton isn't exactly the most exotic spot globally, but its squad provides an abundance of romance and adventure.

In a town known for footwear manufacturing, you might expect punting to be the Saints’ primary strategy. Yet under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in the club's hues choose to run with the ball.

Despite embodying a distinctly UK location, they exhibit a panache typical of the greatest French masters of attacking rugby.

From the time Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have won the Premiership and advanced far in the Champions Cup – losing to their Gallic opponents in the ultimate match and eliminated by the Irish province in a semi-final before that.

They lead the Prem table after four wins and a draw and head to Bristol on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, aiming for a maiden victory at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who featured in 262 top-flight matches for various teams combined, had long intended to be a coach.

“When I played, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “But as you get older, you understand how much you appreciate the sport, and what the real world entails. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You do the commute a multiple instances, and it was challenging – you see what you have going for you.”

Talks with club legends culminated in a position at the Saints. Move forward eight years and Dowson guides a team increasingly filled with internationals: key individuals started for the national side facing the New Zealand two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a major effect from the replacements in the national team's flawless campaign while Fin Smith, down the line, will take over the pivotal position.

Is the development of this remarkable group due to the Saints’ culture, or is it chance?

“This is a bit of both,” says Dowson. “I would acknowledge an ex-coach, who gave them opportunities, and we had challenging moments. But the exposure they had as a unit is definitely one of the causes they are so tight and so talented.”

Dowson also namechecks Mallinder, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be mentored by exceptionally insightful individuals,” he adds. “He had a major effect on my career, my management style, how I deal with others.”

The team play appealing the game, which proved literally true in the example of their new signing. The Gallic player was a member of the French club overcome in the European competition in the spring when the winger registered a hat-trick. He was impressed enough to go against the flow of UK players moving to France.

“An associate rang me and said: ‘We've found a French 10 who’s seeking a side,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘There's no money for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He desires new challenges, for the possibility to prove his worth,’ my mate told me. That caught my attention. We had a conversation with him and his communication was excellent, he was eloquent, he had a witty personality.

“We asked: ‘What do you want from this?’ He answered to be trained, to be challenged, to be outside his comfort zone and away from the Top 14. I was saying: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson comments the 20-year-old Pollock brings a specific enthusiasm. Has he coached a player comparable? “Not really,” Dowson responds. “Each person is individual but Pollock is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be who he is.”

His spectacular touchdown against their opponents in the past campaign showcased his unusual skill, but various his animated during matches actions have led to allegations of overconfidence.

“At times comes across as arrogant in his actions, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson says. “Plus Pollock is not joking around constantly. Tactically he has input – he’s not a clown. I believe sometimes it’s portrayed that he’s only a character. But he’s intelligent and great to have within the team.”

Hardly any managers would admit to sharing a close bond with a assistant, but that is how Dowson characterizes his connection with Sam Vesty.

“Sam and I possess an inquisitiveness about various topics,” he says. “We maintain a reading group. He wants to see all aspects, seeks to understand all there is, wants to experience varied activities, and I think I’m the similar.

“We discuss many topics beyond the game: cinema, books, concepts, creativity. When we faced the Parisian club last year, the cathedral was under renovation, so we had a quick look.”

Another fixture in the French nation is approaching: The Saints' return with the English competition will be brief because the European tournament intervenes shortly. Their next opponents, in the vicinity of the border region, are the opening fixture on the coming weekend before the Pretoria-based club travel to a week later.

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