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Northampton is hardly the most tropical destination in the world, but its club delivers a great deal of excitement and passion.

In a town known for footwear manufacturing, you could anticipate boot work to be the Saints’ main approach. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in the club's hues opt to run with the ball.

Even though playing for a typically British location, they exhibit a panache typical of the best Gallic masters of expansive play.

From the time Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have secured the domestic league and progressed well in the Champions Cup – losing to a French side in the ultimate match and eliminated by the Irish province in a penultimate round before that.

They currently top the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to Ashton Gate on matchday as the only unbeaten side, chasing a initial success at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who participated in 262 premier matches for various teams in total, always planned to be a manager.

“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “Yet as you age, you comprehend how much you love the rugby, and what the everyday life looks like. I spent some time at a banking firm doing a trial period. You make the journey a multiple instances, and it was challenging – you grasp what you do and don’t have.”

Talks with club legends led to a position at the Saints. Fast-forward a decade and Dowson manages a roster progressively packed with internationals: prominent figures lined up for England facing the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a significant influence as a substitute in England’s perfect autumn while the fly-half, eventually, will take over the No 10 jersey.

Is the emergence of this exceptional cohort due to the Saints’ culture, or is it fortune?

“This is a mix of each,” states Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who gave them opportunities, and we had difficult periods. But the experience they had as a group is definitely one of the causes they are so united and so gifted.”

Dowson also namechecks Jim Mallinder, an earlier coach at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “It was my good fortune to be mentored by highly engaging people,” he says. “Jim had a significant influence on my rugby life, my management style, how I interact with others.”

The team demonstrate appealing rugby, which was clearly evident in the example of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was part of the French club beaten in the continental tournament in last season when Tommy Freeman notched a triple. The player was impressed to such an extent to go against the flow of British stars joining Top 14 sides.

“A friend phoned me and stated: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s in search of a club,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘There's no funds for a imported playmaker. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He wants a fresh start, for the opportunity to test himself,’ my contact informed me. That intrigued us. We had a conversation with him and his communication was incredible, he was eloquent, he had a funny side.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be trained, to be pushed, to be facing unfamiliar situations and beyond the Top 14. I was like: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he has been. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson states the emerging Pollock offers a unique vitality. Does he know an individual similar? “No,” Dowson answers. “Each person is unique but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be himself.”

Pollock’s breathtaking touchdown against Leinster in the past campaign showcased his exceptional talent, but a few of his demonstrative on-field behavior have resulted in claims of cockiness.

“He sometimes seems overconfident in his actions, but he’s not,” Dowson asserts. “Furthermore he's being serious constantly. Tactically he has input – he’s not a clown. I feel at times it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s bright and good fun within the team.”

Few managers would describe themselves as sharing a close bond with a head coach, but that is how Dowson frames his partnership with his co-coach.

“Together share an curiosity about various topics,” he says. “We run a book club. He wants to see all aspects, wants to know everything, desires to try different things, and I believe I’m the same.

“We discuss lots of subjects beyond the game: movies, reading, ideas, art. When we played our French rivals previously, the cathedral was being done up, so we had a little wander around.”

One more match in France is looming: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the Prem will be temporary because the European tournament kicks in next week. Pau, in the foothills of the mountain range, are the opening fixture on the coming weekend before the Pretoria-based club travel to a week later.

“I won't be arrogant enough to {