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Northampton may not be the most tropical location in the world, but its squad offers a great deal of excitement and passion.

In a town renowned for boot‑making, you could anticipate boot work to be the Northampton's modus operandi. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in their distinctive colors choose to run with the ball.

Despite representing a typically British location, they showcase a style synonymous with the greatest Gallic exponents of champagne rugby.

Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have won the Premiership and gone deep in the Champions Cup – defeated by a French side in the ultimate match and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a last-four clash previously.

They sit atop the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and visit their West Country rivals on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, aiming for a maiden victory at Bristol's home since 2021.

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

“When I played, I never seriously considered it,” he says. “However as you age, you realise how much you love the rugby, and what the normal employment looks like. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You travel to work a few times, and it was tough – you realise what you possess and lack.”

Discussions with club legends resulted in a position at the Saints. Jump ahead eight years and Dowson manages a squad increasingly packed with national team players: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles lined up for the Red Rose against the All Blacks two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a profound impact as a substitute in the national team's successful series while the number ten, in time, will assume the fly-half role.

Is the rise of this outstanding group due to the club's environment, or is it luck?

“This is a mix of each,” comments Dowson. “I would acknowledge an ex-coach, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the exposure they had as a unit is certainly one of the factors they are so united and so talented.”

Dowson also namechecks Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at their stadium, as a major influence. “I’ve been fortunate to be mentored by highly engaging individuals,” he adds. “Jim had a major effect on my rugby life, my training methods, how I manage individuals.”

The team demonstrate appealing football, which was clearly evident in the instance of their new signing. The Frenchman was involved with the French club beaten in the continental tournament in April when Tommy Freeman registered a three tries. He liked what he saw enough to buck the pattern of British stars joining Top 14 sides.

“An associate rang me and remarked: ‘We know of a Gallic number ten who’s seeking a club,’” Dowson recalls. “My response was: ‘We don’t have budget for a imported playmaker. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for experience, for the opportunity to test himself,’ my contact told me. That intrigued us. We spoke to him and his communication was incredible, he was eloquent, he had a witty personality.

“We questioned: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be guided, to be challenged, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the Top 14. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he has been. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson says the young the flanker provides a unique vitality. Does he know a player similar? “No,” Dowson answers. “All players are original but Henry is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”

The player's sensational score against Leinster in the past campaign illustrated his exceptional skill, but some of his expressive during matches antics have resulted in claims of cockiness.

“He sometimes comes across as cocky in his actions, but he’s far from it,” Dowson clarifies. “And Pollock is being serious the whole time. Tactically he has contributions – he’s no fool. I believe sometimes it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s clever and great to have within the team.”

Hardly any coaches would claim to have having a bromance with a colleague, but that is how Dowson frames his partnership with Vesty.

“We both have an interest regarding different things,” he explains. “We maintain a literary circle. He wants to see various elements, aims to learn each detail, desires to try new experiences, and I believe I’m the similar.

“We converse on lots of things away from the sport: cinema, books, thoughts, culture. When we faced our French rivals in the past season, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a little wander around.”

A further fixture in the French nation is coming up: The Saints' reacquaintance with the domestic league will be short-lived because the continental event kicks in soon. Their next opponents, in the shadow of the Pyrenees, are the opening fixture on the coming weekend before the Bulls visit a week later.

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