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This English town is hardly the most tropical location in the world, but its squad provides plenty of excitement and passion.

In a place famous for boot‑making, you could anticipate boot work to be the Saints’ primary strategy. However under leader Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold opt to retain possession.

Although embodying a typically British location, they exhibit a panache associated with the best French exponents of attacking rugby.

Since Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have secured the domestic league and gone deep in the continental tournament – defeated by their Gallic opponents in the ultimate match and eliminated by Leinster in a semi-final earlier.

They sit atop the league standings after four wins and a draw and visit Bristol on the weekend as the sole undefeated team, chasing a maiden victory at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 elite games for multiple clubs combined, had long intended to be a coach.

“During my career, I didn't really think about it,” he remarks. “However as you get older, you comprehend how much you appreciate the rugby, and what the everyday life looks like. I worked briefly at a financial institution doing a trial period. You make the journey a multiple instances, and it was difficult – you grasp what you possess and lack.”

Conversations with former mentors resulted in a job at Northampton. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson leads a roster increasingly filled with global stars: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles were selected for the national side facing the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a significant influence from the replacements in England’s perfect autumn while Fin Smith, eventually, will inherit the No 10 jersey.

Is the development of this remarkable cohort attributable to the Saints’ culture, or is it chance?

“This is a bit of both,” comments Dowson. “I would acknowledge an ex-coach, who basically just threw them in, and we had challenging moments. But the experience they had as a group is definitely one of the causes they are so close-knit and so skilled.”

Dowson also namechecks his predecessor, an earlier coach at their stadium, as a key figure. “It was my good fortune to be mentored by exceptionally insightful individuals,” he says. “He had a big impact on my rugby life, my training methods, how I interact with others.”

Saints play attractive the game, which became obvious in the instance of their new signing. The Gallic player was involved with the opposing team beaten in the continental tournament in April when Tommy Freeman registered a hat-trick. He was impressed sufficiently to reverse the trend of English talent joining Top 14 sides.

“An associate called me and remarked: ‘We've found a Gallic number ten who’s seeking a side,’” Dowson recalls. “My response was: ‘We don’t have funds for a overseas star. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He desires new challenges, for the opportunity to test himself,’ my contact told me. That interested me. We met with him and his language skills was outstanding, he was articulate, he had a funny side.

“We asked: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He responded to be guided, to be pushed, to be facing unfamiliar situations and beyond the domestic competition. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he has been. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson comments the young Pollock provides a unique vitality. Does he know an individual like him? “Never,” Dowson answers. “Everyone’s original but he is distinct and special in many ways. He’s unafraid to be who he is.”

Pollock’s breathtaking try against the Irish side previously demonstrated his freakish skill, but a few of his animated during matches antics have resulted in allegations of overconfidence.

“At times comes across as arrogant in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson asserts. “Plus Pollock is not joking around the whole time. Game-wise he has ideas – he’s no fool. I feel on occasion it’s depicted that he’s merely a joker. But he’s clever and great to have to have around.”

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

“We both possess an inquisitiveness around different things,” he explains. “We run a literary circle. He aims to discover all aspects, wants to know all there is, wants to experience new experiences, and I think I’m the same.

“We talk about many things away from the sport: movies, books, thoughts, culture. When we played Stade [Français] last year, the cathedral was under renovation, so we had a quick look.”

One more date in the French nation is coming up: The Saints' return with the Prem will be short-lived because the Champions Cup intervenes soon. The French side, in the vicinity of the mountain range, are the initial challenge on Sunday week before the South African team arrive at a week later.

“I won't be arrogant to the extent to {