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This English town isn't exactly the most exotic destination on the planet, but its club provides a great deal of excitement and passion.

In a city known for shoe production, you might expect punting to be the Northampton's modus operandi. Yet under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in green, black and gold choose to retain possession.

Although embodying a typically British community, they showcase a panache synonymous with the finest French masters of expansive play.

Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the Premiership and advanced far in the Champions Cup – losing to a French side in the ultimate match and ousted by Leinster in a semi-final before that.

They currently top the competition ladder after four wins and a draw and visit their West Country rivals on Saturday as the just one without a loss, seeking a first win at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who played 262 premier fixtures for various teams in total, always planned to be a coach.

“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “But as you age, you comprehend how much you enjoy the game, and what the real world entails. I spent some time at a financial institution doing a trial period. You do the commute a multiple instances, and it was difficult – you see what you possess and lack.”

Conversations with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder led to a role at Northampton. Fast-forward eight years and Dowson manages a roster increasingly filled with global stars: key individuals lined up for the national side against the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a major effect off the bench in England’s successful series while the number ten, in time, will inherit the fly-half role.

Is the rise of this remarkable generation due to the team's ethos, or is it chance?

“It is a mix of each,” comments Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who basically just threw them in, and we had difficult periods. But the experience they had as a group is undoubtedly one of the factors they are so close-knit and so skilled.”

Dowson also namechecks Mallinder, a former boss at their stadium, as a key figure. “It was my good fortune to be coached by highly engaging people,” he says. “He had a big impact on my rugby life, my management style, how I manage people.”

Saints play entertaining rugby, which became obvious in the instance of the French fly-half. The import was part of the Clermont XV beaten in the continental tournament in April when Freeman registered a triple. Belleau liked what he saw to such an extent to buck the pattern of UK players joining Top 14 sides.

“A mate called me and remarked: ‘We've found a Gallic number ten who’s looking for a team,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘There's no budget for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He desires experience, for the opportunity to prove his worth,’ my contact said. That caught my attention. We had a conversation with him and his language skills was outstanding, he was articulate, he had a sense of humour.

“We asked: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He answered to be trained, to be pushed, to be in a new environment and outside the domestic competition. I was like: ‘Come on in, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he turned out to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson comments the 20-year-old Henry Pollock brings a particular energy. Has he coached anyone like him? “Not really,” Dowson answers. “Each person is individual but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be himself.”

His sensational try against their opponents last season illustrated his freakish skill, but a few of his animated during matches antics have brought accusations of cockiness.

“On occasion comes across as cocky in his behavior, but he’s far from it,” Dowson asserts. “Furthermore Pollock is not joking around the whole time. In terms of strategy he has contributions – he’s no fool. I feel on occasion it’s depicted that he’s only a character. But he’s clever and great to have in the squad.”

Not many directors of rugby would describe themselves as sharing a close bond with a head coach, but that is how Dowson frames his partnership with Vesty.

“Sam and I share an interest regarding various topics,” he says. “We maintain a literary circle. He desires to explore various elements, wants to know all there is, aims to encounter different things, and I feel like I’m the similar.

“We discuss numerous things outside the game: cinema, books, thoughts, creativity. When we played the Parisian club last year, the cathedral was undergoing restoration, so we had a little wander around.”

A further match in Gall is looming: Northampton’s return with the domestic league will be brief because the Champions Cup takes over soon. Their next opponents, in the vicinity of the border region, are the initial challenge on the coming weekend before the Bulls visit the following weekend.

“I refuse to be presumptuous enough to {