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This English town may not be the most tropical destination globally, but its rugby union team offers an abundance of thrills and drama.

In a city renowned for shoe production, you might expect boot work to be the Saints’ modus operandi. However under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the team in green, black and gold opt to run with the ball.

Despite playing for a distinctly UK town, they display a style synonymous with the finest French exponents of attacking rugby.

Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have won the domestic league and gone deep in the continental tournament – losing to their Gallic opponents in last season’s final and ousted by Leinster in a penultimate round previously.

They lead the Prem table after four wins and a draw and head to Bristol on the weekend as the sole undefeated team, aiming for a initial success at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who featured in 262 premier fixtures for multiple clubs combined, consistently aimed to be a manager.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he remarks. “Yet as you get older, you realise how much you enjoy the game, and what the normal employment looks like. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You make the journey a multiple instances, and it was challenging – you realise what you do and don’t have.”

Talks with former mentors led to a role at Northampton. Move forward a decade and Dowson leads a squad progressively packed with global stars: prominent figures lined up for the national side facing the New Zealand two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a significant influence from the replacements in the national team's flawless campaign while the fly-half, in time, will assume the pivotal position.

Is the emergence of this outstanding cohort attributable to the team's ethos, or is it fortune?

“It's a bit of both,” states Dowson. “I’d credit Chris Boyd, who thrust them into action, and we had challenging moments. But the experience they had as a collective is definitely one of the reasons they are so close-knit and so skilled.”

Dowson also cites his predecessor, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a major influence. “It was my good fortune to be coached by highly engaging individuals,” he adds. “He had a major effect on my rugby life, my training methods, how I deal with people.”

Northampton demonstrate attractive football, which proved literally true in the example of the French fly-half. The Gallic player was part of the French club overcome in the Champions Cup in April when Tommy Freeman registered a triple. Belleau admired the style sufficiently to buck the pattern of English talent heading across the Channel.

“A friend phoned me and stated: ‘We've found a fly-half from France who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘We lack the budget for a imported playmaker. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the opportunity to prove his worth,’ my mate informed me. That caught my attention. We met with Belleau and his language skills was excellent, he was articulate, he had a funny side.

“We asked: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He answered to be coached, to be pushed, to be facing unfamiliar situations and outside the Top 14. I was saying: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he has been. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the young Pollock offers a unique enthusiasm. Has he coached anyone comparable? “No,” Dowson responds. “Each person is individual but he is distinct and special in many ways. He’s fearless to be authentic.”

Pollock’s spectacular score against the Irish side previously showcased his freakish ability, but some of his animated on-field antics have brought claims of arrogance.

“He sometimes comes across as overconfident in his actions, but he’s far from it,” Dowson clarifies. “Plus Henry’s not joking around constantly. Tactically he has contributions – he’s not a clown. I believe sometimes it’s depicted that he’s only a character. But he’s bright and good fun within the team.”

Few directors of rugby would admit to enjoying a tight friendship with a head coach, but that is how Dowson characterizes his partnership with Sam Vesty.

“We both share an interest regarding different things,” he explains. “We have a literary circle. He wants to see all aspects, aims to learn all there is, wants to experience new experiences, and I think I’m the same.

“We discuss many subjects beyond rugby: films, books, concepts, art. When we met Stade [Français] in the past season, the cathedral was undergoing restoration, so we had a little wander around.”

Another date in France is looming: The Saints' return with the Prem will be temporary because the European tournament intervenes shortly. Their next opponents, in the foothills of the border region, are the opening fixture on the coming weekend before the Pretoria-based club arrive at soon after.

“I’m not going to be arrogant to the extent to {