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This English town may not be the most exotic destination globally, but its club delivers plenty of thrills and drama.

In a town renowned for shoe production, you would think kicking to be the Saints’ modus operandi. Yet under head coach Phil Dowson, the side in their distinctive colors opt to keep ball in hand.

Although embodying a distinctly UK location, they display a flair typical of the best French practitioners of attacking rugby.

Since Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the domestic league and gone deep in the continental tournament – losing to a French side in the ultimate match and ousted by the Irish province in a semi-final before that.

They lead the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and visit Ashton Gate on matchday as the sole undefeated team, aiming for a first win at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who played 262 premier games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester combined, consistently aimed to be a manager.

“When I played, I never seriously considered it,” he states. “But as you get older, you realise how much you appreciate the rugby, and what the everyday life entails. I had a stint at a financial institution doing an internship. You make the journey a few times, and it was tough – you grasp what you do and don’t have.”

Talks with former mentors led to a role at the Saints. Jump ahead eight years and Dowson leads a roster increasingly packed with global stars: key individuals lined up for the national side versus the All Blacks two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a profound impact as a substitute in England’s flawless campaign while Fin Smith, eventually, will take over the No 10 jersey.

Is the rise of this remarkable generation due to the club's environment, or is it fortune?

“It's a combination of the two,” states Dowson. “I’d credit an ex-coach, who thrust them into action, and we had some tough days. But the practice they had as a group is definitely one of the causes they are so united and so talented.”

Dowson also namechecks Mallinder, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be mentored by really interesting individuals,” he adds. “Mallinder had a major effect on my professional journey, my training methods, how I deal with people.”

Saints play appealing football, which proved literally true in the instance of the French fly-half. The import was part of the Clermont XV beaten in the Champions Cup in the spring when Freeman notched a triple. He liked what he saw to such an extent to reverse the trend of English talent joining Top 14 sides.

“A mate phoned me and remarked: ‘There’s a Gallic number ten who’s seeking a club,’” Dowson says. “I replied: ‘There's no money for a overseas star. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for experience, for the opportunity to test himself,’ my friend told me. That caught my attention. We had a conversation with Belleau and his communication was incredible, he was well-spoken, he had a funny side.

“We questioned: ‘What do you want from this?’ He said to be coached, to be driven, to be in a new environment and outside the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he proved to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson comments the emerging Henry Pollock brings a specific energy. Does he know anyone like him? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “Each person is individual but Henry is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s fearless to be himself.”

His sensational touchdown against their opponents previously illustrated his unusual skill, but a few of his expressive in-game antics have resulted in allegations of cockiness.

“On occasion seems arrogant in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson asserts. “Furthermore Pollock is not joking around constantly. In terms of strategy he has input – he’s a smart player. I think at times it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s clever and good fun in the squad.”

Few managers would describe themselves as enjoying a tight friendship with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with Vesty.

“We both possess an curiosity regarding different things,” he notes. “We run a book club. He wants to see everything, aims to learn each detail, desires to try new experiences, and I feel like I’m the same.

“We converse on numerous topics beyond the sport: cinema, reading, ideas, art. When we played our French rivals last year, the landmark was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

A further fixture in the French nation is approaching: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the Prem will be brief because the European tournament takes over shortly. Their next opponents, in the vicinity of the border region, are the initial challenge on the coming weekend before the South African team travel to a week later.

“I refuse to be presumptuous to the extent to {