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Northampton may not be the most glamorous location globally, but its club provides plenty of romance and adventure.

In a place renowned for shoe production, you might expect kicking to be the Saints’ primary strategy. However under head coach Phil Dowson, the side in their distinctive colors prefer to keep ball in hand.

Even though representing a distinctly UK community, they display a style typical of the greatest French practitioners of expansive play.

After Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have won the Premiership and advanced far in the European competition – defeated by a French side in last season’s final and ousted by Leinster in a semi-final previously.

They sit atop the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and travel to Ashton Gate on the weekend as the sole undefeated team, aiming for a maiden victory at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who featured in 262 elite games for various teams in total, had long intended to be a trainer.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “Yet as you age, you comprehend how much you love the game, and what the real world entails. I spent some time at a financial institution doing an internship. You travel to work a few times, and it was difficult – you see what you have going for you.”

Discussions with club legends led to a job at the Saints. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson guides a squad ever more crammed with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for the national side against the New Zealand two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a significant influence as a substitute in England’s flawless campaign while the number ten, down the line, will inherit the fly-half role.

Is the rise of this exceptional generation because of the team's ethos, or is it luck?

“It is a combination of the two,” states Dowson. “I would acknowledge the former director of rugby, who thrust them into action, and we had difficult periods. But the experience they had as a collective is undoubtedly one of the causes they are so united and so skilled.”

Dowson also cites Mallinder, another predecessor at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be mentored by exceptionally insightful personalities,” he notes. “Mallinder had a big impact on my professional journey, my management style, how I manage others.”

Northampton execute attractive football, which was clearly evident in the case of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was involved with the Clermont XV defeated in the European competition in April when the winger registered a hat-trick. The player admired the style sufficiently to buck the pattern of British stars moving to France.

“A mate rang me and said: ‘We've found a fly-half from France who’s looking for a club,’” Dowson recalls. “I replied: ‘There's no budget for a imported playmaker. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for a fresh start, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my friend informed me. That caught my attention. We met with Anthony and his language skills was outstanding, he was well-spoken, he had a funny side.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be coached, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and away from the Top 14. I was saying: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he proved to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson says the young Henry Pollock offers a particular enthusiasm. Does he know an individual comparable? “Never,” Dowson replies. “Everyone’s original but Henry is unusual and remarkable in many ways. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”

The player's breathtaking try against the Irish side in the past campaign illustrated his freakish ability, but a few of his demonstrative on-field behavior have brought claims of arrogance.

“On occasion comes across as cocky in his behavior, but he’s far from it,” Dowson asserts. “And Pollock is not joking around all the time. Game-wise he has ideas – he’s not a clown. I believe on occasion it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s clever and good fun within the team.”

Hardly any directors of rugby would describe themselves as sharing a close bond with a head coach, but that is how Dowson describes his relationship with Sam Vesty.

“Sam and I have an inquisitiveness regarding diverse subjects,” he says. “We run a reading group. He desires to explore all aspects, aims to learn all there is, wants to experience different things, and I believe I’m the similar.

“We talk about lots of subjects away from the sport: films, literature, ideas, art. When we faced Stade [Français] previously, the landmark was undergoing restoration, so we had a little wander around.”

One more date in France is approaching: The Saints' return with the Prem will be short-lived because the continental event intervenes soon. Pau, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on the coming weekend before the South African team travel to soon after.

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