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Northampton may not be the most glamorous location in the world, but its squad delivers plenty of thrills and drama.

In a town renowned for footwear manufacturing, you might expect kicking to be the Saints’ main approach. However under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in their distinctive colors choose to run with the ball.

Even though representing a quintessentially English community, they showcase a panache typical of the best French masters of expansive play.

From the time Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the Premiership and advanced far in the continental tournament – defeated by Bordeaux-Bègles in the ultimate match and ousted by Dublin-based club in a semi-final previously.

They sit atop the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and travel to their West Country rivals on Saturday as the sole undefeated team, seeking a first win at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who played 262 top-flight games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, had long intended to be a manager.

“As a professional, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “However as you age, you realise how much you appreciate the rugby, and what the normal employment entails. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing work experience. You make the journey a multiple instances, and it was challenging – you see what you have going for you.”

Conversations with club legends culminated in a job at Northampton. Move forward several seasons and Dowson guides a team ever more filled with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles lined up for England facing the All Blacks two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a significant influence off the bench in England’s perfect autumn while Fin Smith, in time, will take over the fly-half role.

Is the emergence of this outstanding generation due to the team's ethos, or is it luck?

“This is a mix of each,” says Dowson. “I would acknowledge an ex-coach, who thrust them into action, and we had challenging moments. But the exposure they had as a collective is undoubtedly one of the causes they are so united and so gifted.”

Dowson also mentions Jim Mallinder, an earlier coach at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “I’ve been fortunate to be guided by exceptionally insightful people,” he notes. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my rugby life, my coaching, how I manage others.”

The team play appealing the game, which was clearly evident in the example of Anthony Belleau. The import was part of the French club overcome in the European competition in the spring when the winger notched a triple. He was impressed sufficiently to buck the pattern of British stars moving to France.

“A friend called me and said: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s looking for a team,’” Dowson recalls. “My response was: ‘There's no funds for a overseas star. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the opportunity to test himself,’ my friend told me. That interested me. We met with Anthony and his language skills was excellent, he was eloquent, he had a funny side.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He answered to be trained, to be pushed, to be in a new environment and outside the French league. I was like: ‘Come on in, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he proved to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson states the young Henry Pollock provides a specific enthusiasm. Has he coached an individual similar? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “Each person is unique but Henry is unusual and remarkable in numerous aspects. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”

Pollock’s spectacular touchdown against the Irish side previously illustrated his freakish skill, but a few of his animated during matches antics have led to claims of arrogance.

“At times seems overconfident in his conduct, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore Pollock is not taking the piss constantly. Tactically he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I feel on occasion it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s clever and good fun in the squad.”

Hardly any managers would admit to enjoying a tight friendship with a colleague, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with Vesty.

“Together have an inquisitiveness around diverse subjects,” he notes. “We maintain a literary circle. He aims to discover various elements, seeks to understand each detail, aims to encounter varied activities, and I feel like I’m the alike.

“We discuss numerous things away from the sport: cinema, books, thoughts, art. When we met Stade [Français] last year, the cathedral was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”

One more fixture in the French nation is looming: The Saints' return with the Prem will be short-lived because the continental event intervenes next week. Their next opponents, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, are up first on Sunday week before the South African team travel to a week later.

“I won't be overconfident enough to {