🔗 Share this article

This English town isn't exactly the most exotic location globally, but its rugby union team provides a great deal of romance and adventure.

In a place renowned for shoe production, you might expect boot work to be the Northampton's modus operandi. But under leader Phil Dowson, the squad in the club's hues prefer to retain possession.

Despite representing a typically British location, they display a flair synonymous with the greatest Gallic practitioners of attacking rugby.

Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have secured the domestic league and progressed well in the Champions Cup – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in the ultimate match and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a penultimate round previously.

They lead the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to their West Country rivals on the weekend as the just one without a loss, aiming for a initial success at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who participated in 262 elite games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, had long intended to be a coach.

“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “But as you get older, you understand how much you appreciate the sport, and what the real world entails. I spent some time at a financial institution doing an internship. You make the journey a multiple instances, and it was challenging – you grasp what you do and don’t have.”

Conversations with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a role at the Saints. Move forward several seasons and Dowson manages a team progressively packed with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles lined up for the national side facing the New Zealand two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a major effect off the bench in England’s perfect autumn while Fin Smith, down the line, will assume the No 10 jersey.

Is the development of this remarkable generation due to the team's ethos, or is it fortune?

“This is a mix of each,” states Dowson. “My thanks go to an ex-coach, who thrust them into action, and we had challenging moments. But the exposure they had as a unit is definitely one of the reasons they are so close-knit and so talented.”

Dowson also namechecks his predecessor, another predecessor at their stadium, as a key figure. “It was my good fortune to be coached by really interesting people,” he says. “Mallinder had a major effect on my rugby life, my management style, how I interact with others.”

Saints demonstrate appealing the game, which was clearly evident in the instance of the French fly-half. The Gallic player was part of the opposing team overcome in the European competition in April when Tommy Freeman registered a three tries. Belleau liked what he saw to such an extent to reverse the trend of English talent moving to France.

“An associate rang me and stated: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s seeking a side,’” Dowson explains. “I said: ‘We don’t have funds for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He wants new challenges, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my friend said. That caught my attention. We met with him and his communication was incredible, he was eloquent, he had a witty personality.

“We inquired: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He said to be coached, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and away from the French league. I was thinking: ‘Join us, you’re a great person.’ And he proved to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson says the emerging Henry Pollock brings a specific vitality. Has he encountered an individual similar? “No,” Dowson replies. “All players are individual but Henry is different and unique in numerous aspects. He’s fearless to be himself.”

His breathtaking touchdown against their opponents last season showcased his freakish ability, but various his animated during matches antics have resulted in allegations of cockiness.

“At times seems overconfident in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “And Henry’s being serious all the time. Game-wise he has input – he’s not a clown. I feel at times it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and a positive influence within the team.”

Few directors of rugby would admit to having a bromance with a head coach, but that is how Dowson describes his partnership with Vesty.

“Together share an interest around various topics,” he says. “We run a reading group. He desires to explore everything, seeks to understand everything, aims to encounter new experiences, and I think I’m the same.

“We discuss lots of topics outside the sport: movies, literature, thoughts, creativity. When we played Stade [Français] previously, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

Another match in the French nation is coming up: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the domestic league will be temporary because the Champions Cup takes over shortly. Their next opponents, in the shadow of the border region, are up first on Sunday week before the Bulls arrive at a week later.

“I refuse to be presumptuous enough to {