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

In a city known for shoe production, you might expect kicking to be the Saints’ modus operandi. However under head coach Phil Dowson, the side in green, black and gold choose to run with the ball.

Although embodying a quintessentially English location, they showcase a panache typical of the finest Gallic masters of expansive play.

After Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have secured the Premiership and progressed well in the Champions Cup – defeated by a French side in the ultimate match and eliminated by the Irish province in a penultimate round previously.

They currently top the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and travel to Ashton Gate on matchday as the just one without a loss, seeking a first win at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who participated in 262 premier matches for various teams combined, had long intended to be a trainer.

“When I played, I never seriously considered it,” he remarks. “But as you mature, you comprehend how much you enjoy the sport, and what the everyday life is like. I spent some time at a financial institution doing work experience. You make the journey a few times, and it was challenging – you see what you do and don’t have.”

Conversations with club legends resulted in a job at the Saints. Fast-forward eight years and Dowson guides a squad ever more crammed with national team players: prominent figures lined up for England facing the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a profound impact as a substitute in the national team's successful series while the fly-half, in time, will inherit the No 10 jersey.

Is the development of this outstanding cohort because of the team's ethos, or is it chance?

“It's a mix of each,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to an ex-coach, who basically just threw them in, and we had challenging moments. But the practice they had as a group is undoubtedly one of the causes they are so tight and so talented.”

Dowson also namechecks Mallinder, a former boss at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be guided by exceptionally insightful personalities,” he says. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my rugby life, my coaching, how I manage individuals.”

Saints demonstrate entertaining the game, which proved literally true in the case of the French fly-half. The Gallic player was involved with the opposing team overcome in the continental tournament in the spring when the winger notched a triple. The player liked what he saw sufficiently to reverse the trend of British stars moving to France.

“A friend called me and stated: ‘There’s a fly-half from France who’s looking for a team,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘We don’t have funds for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He desires experience, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my mate informed me. That intrigued us. We met with Anthony and his communication was outstanding, he was well-spoken, he had a witty personality.

“We questioned: ‘What do you want from this?’ He said to be coached, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and away from the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the 20-year-old Pollock brings a unique enthusiasm. Has he coached an individual like him? “Never,” Dowson answers. “All players are individual but he is different and unique in numerous aspects. He’s unafraid to be authentic.”

The player's spectacular try against Leinster last season illustrated his exceptional ability, but some of his animated on-field antics have resulted in claims of overconfidence.

“On occasion seems cocky in his behavior, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore Henry’s not joking around all the time. In terms of strategy he has contributions – he’s not a clown. I believe at times it’s portrayed that he’s only a character. But he’s clever and good fun to have around.”

Hardly any managers would admit to having a bromance with a colleague, but that is how Dowson describes his partnership with his co-coach.

“We both share an inquisitiveness about different things,” he says. “We maintain a book club. He desires to explore everything, aims to learn each detail, aims to encounter varied activities, and I think I’m the similar.

“We talk about numerous things outside the sport: films, literature, ideas, creativity. When we faced Stade [Français] in the past season, Notre-Dame was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”

One more match in the French nation is looming: Northampton’s comeback with the domestic league will be brief because the continental event kicks in soon. The French side, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are the opening fixture on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club arrive at a week later.

“I’m not going to be arrogant enough to {