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Northampton isn't exactly the most exotic spot globally, but its rugby union team delivers an abundance of romance and adventure.

In a town renowned for shoe production, you would think boot work to be the Saints’ primary strategy. Yet under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in green, black and gold prefer to keep ball in hand.

Although representing a typically British town, they exhibit a panache synonymous with the best Gallic practitioners of champagne rugby.

From the time Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have secured the Premiership and gone deep in the Champions Cup – losing to a French side in the previous campaign's decider and ousted by the Irish province in a semi-final previously.

They lead the league standings after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to Ashton Gate on Saturday as the sole undefeated team, aiming for a first win at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who featured in 262 premier fixtures for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, consistently aimed to be a coach.

“During my career, I never seriously considered it,” he says. “But as you age, you realise how much you appreciate the game, and what the normal employment entails. I had a stint at a banking firm doing work experience. You make the journey a few times, and it was difficult – you see what you possess and lack.”

Discussions with club legends resulted in a job at the Saints. Move forward several seasons and Dowson manages a squad increasingly filled with global stars: key individuals were selected for the Red Rose against the All Blacks two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a significant influence off the bench in the national team's flawless campaign while the number ten, down the line, will inherit the fly-half role.

Is the emergence of this exceptional cohort attributable to the club's environment, or is it chance?

“This is a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who basically just threw them in, and we had challenging moments. But the exposure they had as a group is definitely one of the factors they are so united and so gifted.”

Dowson also namechecks Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at their stadium, as a key figure. “I’ve been fortunate to be guided by exceptionally insightful personalities,” he says. “Mallinder had a major effect on my professional journey, my coaching, how I interact with individuals.”

Northampton play appealing football, which proved literally true in the example of Anthony Belleau. The Frenchman was part of the Clermont XV beaten in the Champions Cup in April when Freeman notched a hat-trick. The player liked what he saw to such an extent to reverse the trend of British stars moving to France.

“A friend phoned me and remarked: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s looking for a side,’” Dowson recalls. “My response was: ‘There's no budget for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my friend informed me. That caught my attention. We met with him and his English was incredible, he was articulate, he had a sense of humour.

“We asked: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He said to be guided, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he has been. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the 20-year-old the flanker offers a particular enthusiasm. Has he encountered an individual comparable? “Never,” Dowson responds. “Each person is individual but Henry is distinct and special in many ways. He’s unafraid to be authentic.”

Pollock’s spectacular touchdown against Leinster last season demonstrated his exceptional skill, but some of his demonstrative on-field actions have brought accusations of overconfidence.

“At times comes across as cocky in his conduct, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson clarifies. “Plus Pollock is not taking the piss constantly. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I believe sometimes it’s depicted that he’s just this idiot. But he’s clever and a positive influence in the squad.”

Hardly any coaches would describe themselves as having a bromance with a colleague, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with his co-coach.

“Sam and I possess an inquisitiveness about different things,” he notes. “We have a reading group. He wants to see everything, seeks to understand everything, wants to experience new experiences, and I feel like I’m the alike.

“We converse on many topics outside the sport: films, books, concepts, art. When we faced our French rivals previously, the cathedral was under renovation, so we had a little wander around.”

A further fixture in France is coming up: Northampton’s return with the Prem will be temporary because the Champions Cup intervenes soon. Their next opponents, in the shadow of the Pyrenees, are up first on matchday before the South African team visit a week later.

“I refuse to be presumptuous enough to {