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Northampton isn't exactly the most exotic location globally, but its club provides plenty of thrills and drama.

In a town known for footwear manufacturing, you would think kicking to be the Saints’ primary strategy. However under leader Phil Dowson, the side in the club's hues choose to keep ball in hand.

Despite embodying a typically British location, they showcase a style typical of the best Gallic practitioners of attacking rugby.

After Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have won the Premiership and progressed well in the Champions Cup – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a last-four clash earlier.

They lead the Prem table after four wins and a draw and visit their West Country rivals on matchday as the just one without a loss, aiming for a first win at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 elite games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester combined, always planned to be a coach.

“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “Yet as you age, you realise how much you appreciate the game, and what the real world looks like. I had a stint at a banking firm doing an internship. You travel to work a multiple instances, and it was challenging – you grasp what you possess and lack.”

Conversations with club legends led to a role at the Saints. Fast-forward a decade and Dowson manages a team progressively filled with global stars: key individuals were selected for the national side versus the All Blacks two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a significant influence from the replacements in the national team's perfect autumn while the number ten, down the line, will inherit the No 10 jersey.

Is the emergence of this exceptional cohort attributable to the team's ethos, or is it fortune?

“This is a combination of the two,” states Dowson. “I would acknowledge Chris Boyd, who thrust them into action, and we had some tough days. But the experience they had as a group is certainly one of the reasons they are so united and so skilled.”

Dowson also cites his predecessor, an earlier coach at Franklin’s Gardens, as a major influence. “I’ve been fortunate to be coached by really interesting people,” he says. “He had a big impact on my rugby life, my training methods, how I interact with individuals.”

Saints execute attractive rugby, which was clearly evident in the case of the French fly-half. The Frenchman was involved with the French club beaten in the Champions Cup in last season when Tommy Freeman registered a three tries. He liked what he saw sufficiently to go against the flow of British stars heading across the Channel.

“A friend called me and stated: ‘We've found a fly-half from France who’s looking for a club,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘We lack the funds for a imported playmaker. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the opportunity to challenge himself,’ my contact informed me. That intrigued us. We met with him and his language skills was excellent, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.

“We questioned: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He said to be guided, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the French league. I was like: ‘Join us, you’re a great person.’ And he turned out to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson states the young Pollock offers a unique vitality. Does he know an individual like him? “Not really,” Dowson responds. “Each person is original but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s fearless to be himself.”

Pollock’s breathtaking touchdown against their opponents previously demonstrated his exceptional skill, but various his demonstrative during matches behavior have led to allegations of cockiness.

“At times seems cocky in his behavior, but he’s far from it,” Dowson asserts. “Plus Henry’s being serious the whole time. Game-wise he has ideas – he’s no fool. I believe at times it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s bright and great to have within the team.”

Hardly any directors of rugby would claim to have having a bromance with a colleague, but that is how Dowson describes his connection with Vesty.

“We both possess an curiosity regarding various topics,” he explains. “We have a literary circle. He desires to explore various elements, aims to learn all there is, wants to experience different things, and I believe I’m the same.

“We converse on numerous things outside the sport: cinema, books, concepts, culture. When we played Stade [Français] previously, Notre-Dame was undergoing restoration, so we had a little wander around.”

Another fixture in France is approaching: The Saints' comeback with the Prem will be brief because the European tournament kicks in shortly. Pau, in the shadow of the border region, are the initial challenge on matchday before the Bulls visit the following weekend.

“I won't be presumptuous sufficiently to {