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Northampton may not be the most tropical spot on the planet, but its rugby union team offers an abundance of excitement and passion.

In a town famous for footwear manufacturing, you might expect kicking to be the Northampton's main approach. But under leader Phil Dowson, the side in the club's hues prefer to run with the ball.

Even though embodying a quintessentially English location, they showcase a style associated with the finest Gallic practitioners of attacking rugby.

After Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have secured the English top flight and gone deep in the European competition – losing to a French side in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a penultimate round previously.

They lead the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and travel to Ashton Gate on Saturday as the sole undefeated team, aiming for a initial success at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who featured in 262 premier matches for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, always planned to be a manager.

“As a professional, I never seriously considered it,” he states. “However as you age, you realise how much you appreciate the game, and what the normal employment is like. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing an internship. You make the journey a multiple instances, and it was difficult – you see what you do and don’t have.”

Conversations with former mentors led to a role at the Saints. Fast-forward a decade and Dowson manages a squad ever more crammed with global stars: key individuals lined up for England versus the New Zealand two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a profound impact as a substitute in England’s flawless campaign while Fin Smith, down the line, will take over the fly-half role.

Is the emergence of this outstanding generation because of the club's environment, or is it chance?

“It's a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “I would acknowledge Chris Boyd, who gave them opportunities, and we had difficult periods. But the experience they had as a group is definitely one of the reasons they are so close-knit and so gifted.”

Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “It was my good fortune to be mentored by exceptionally insightful personalities,” he adds. “Jim had a significant influence on my professional journey, my management style, how I interact with others.”

The team play entertaining the game, which proved literally true in the case of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was involved with the French club beaten in the European competition in April when Tommy Freeman scored a triple. Belleau liked what he saw enough to go against the flow of UK players heading across the Channel.

“A friend phoned me and stated: ‘We know of a fly-half from France who’s looking for a side,’” Dowson says. “I replied: ‘We lack the money for a French fly-half. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for new challenges, for the chance to challenge himself,’ my contact informed me. That intrigued us. We spoke to Belleau and his English was excellent, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.

“We asked: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He responded to be guided, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and outside the French league. I was saying: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he has been. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson says the emerging Pollock provides a unique energy. Has he encountered an individual like him? “No,” Dowson replies. “All players are individual but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be himself.”

Pollock’s spectacular score against Leinster in the past campaign showcased his exceptional ability, but various his animated in-game behavior have resulted in accusations of overconfidence.

“At times appears cocky in his behavior, but he’s far from it,” Dowson clarifies. “And Pollock is not joking around constantly. Game-wise he has ideas – he’s not a clown. I feel at times it’s depicted that he’s merely a joker. But he’s intelligent and great to have within the team.”

Not many directors of rugby would admit to sharing a close bond with a head coach, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with Vesty.

“We both share an curiosity around diverse subjects,” he notes. “We run a reading group. He wants to see all aspects, seeks to understand all there is, wants to experience new experiences, and I think I’m the similar.

“We talk about numerous topics beyond rugby: movies, reading, thoughts, creativity. When we met the Parisian club last year, Notre-Dame was under renovation, so we had a little wander around.”

A further fixture in France is approaching: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the domestic league will be short-lived because the European tournament kicks in shortly. The French side, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on matchday before the South African team travel to the following weekend.

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