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This English town is hardly the most exotic location globally, but its club provides an abundance of thrills and drama.

In a place renowned for shoe production, you would think punting to be the Northampton's modus operandi. However under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors prefer to retain possession.

Although playing for a quintessentially English community, they display a style typical of the greatest Gallic masters of attacking rugby.

After 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 Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a semi-final before that.

They sit atop the Prem table after four wins and a draw and head to their West Country rivals on matchday as the only unbeaten side, chasing a first win at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 premier matches for multiple clubs combined, always planned to be a manager.

“During my career, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “Yet as you age, you understand how much you enjoy the game, and what the everyday life is like. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You do the commute a multiple instances, and it was difficult – you grasp what you have going for you.”

Talks with former mentors culminated in a job at Northampton. Jump ahead a decade and Dowson manages a roster increasingly crammed with global stars: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles were selected for the Red Rose facing the All Blacks two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a profound impact off the bench in England’s perfect autumn while the number ten, in time, will take over the fly-half role.

Is the rise of this outstanding cohort because of the team's ethos, or is it fortune?

“This is a bit of both,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to an ex-coach, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the practice they had as a group is definitely one of the reasons they are so united and so skilled.”

Dowson also mentions Jim Mallinder, a former boss at their stadium, as a key figure. “I’ve been fortunate to be coached by exceptionally insightful individuals,” he adds. “Mallinder had a big impact on my career, my training methods, how I interact with others.”

The team play attractive the game, which proved literally true in the case of their new signing. The import was a member of the French club beaten in the Champions Cup in April when Tommy Freeman notched a triple. He was impressed enough to buck the pattern of English talent joining Top 14 sides.

“A friend rang me and said: ‘We've found a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘There's no budget for a French fly-half. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for a fresh start, for the possibility to prove his worth,’ my friend informed me. That caught my attention. We had a conversation with Anthony and his communication was outstanding, he was eloquent, he had a funny side.

“We questioned: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He answered to be trained, to be pushed, to be facing unfamiliar situations and beyond the French league. I was like: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson says the emerging Pollock brings a specific vitality. Has he encountered an individual similar? “Not really,” Dowson answers. “All players are individual but Pollock is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be himself.”

His spectacular touchdown against Leinster last season demonstrated his exceptional skill, but a few of his expressive in-game actions have led to allegations of arrogance.

“At times comes across as arrogant in his behavior, but he’s not,” Dowson asserts. “And Henry’s not taking the piss all the time. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s no fool. I think sometimes it’s depicted that he’s just this idiot. But he’s bright and great to have within the team.”

Few managers would claim to have having a bromance with a head coach, but that is how Dowson frames his partnership with Vesty.

“Sam and I have an curiosity regarding various topics,” he says. “We have a book club. He desires to explore various elements, wants to know all there is, aims to encounter different things, and I believe I’m the similar.

“We talk about lots of topics outside the sport: films, literature, concepts, culture. When we played the Parisian club last year, the cathedral was being done up, so we had a little wander around.”

Another fixture in France is coming up: The Saints' return with the domestic league will be brief because the European tournament takes over next week. The French side, in the foothills of the border region, are the opening fixture on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club visit the following weekend.

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