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Northampton may not be the most exotic location globally, but its squad delivers plenty of romance and adventure.

In a place renowned for footwear manufacturing, you could anticipate boot work to be the Northampton's modus operandi. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors opt to keep ball in hand.

Even though playing for a quintessentially English community, they exhibit a style synonymous with the finest Gallic masters of champagne rugby.

From the time Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have won the Premiership and progressed well in the Champions Cup – beaten by their Gallic opponents in the ultimate match and eliminated by Leinster in a semi-final earlier.

They lead the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and visit Bristol on Saturday as the only unbeaten side, aiming for a initial success at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who played 262 elite fixtures for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, had long intended to be a coach.

“During my career, I never seriously considered it,” he states. “But as you get older, you realise how much you appreciate the sport, and what the normal employment is like. I worked briefly at Metro Bank doing work experience. You travel to work a several occasions, and it was challenging – you grasp what you possess and lack.”

Conversations with club legends resulted in a role at the Saints. Jump ahead eight years and Dowson leads a squad progressively crammed with global stars: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles were selected for the Red Rose against the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a profound impact off the bench in the national team's perfect autumn while Fin Smith, eventually, will take over the pivotal position.

Is the rise of this outstanding generation attributable to the club's environment, or is it luck?

“This is a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “I’d credit an ex-coach, who gave them opportunities, and we had difficult periods. But the experience they had as a group is definitely one of the reasons they are so united and so gifted.”

Dowson also cites Mallinder, another predecessor at their stadium, as a major influence. “I’ve been fortunate to be guided by highly engaging individuals,” he notes. “Mallinder had a major effect on my career, my coaching, how I interact with individuals.”

Saints play entertaining football, which was clearly evident in the instance of their new signing. The Frenchman was part of the French club beaten in the continental tournament in April when the winger registered a triple. Belleau was impressed to such an extent to go against the flow of UK players heading across the Channel.

“An associate rang me and said: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s seeking a club,’” Dowson recalls. “I replied: ‘There's no money for a overseas star. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the possibility to test himself,’ my mate said. That interested me. We met with Belleau and his English was excellent, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.

“We asked: ‘What do you want from this?’ He said to be trained, to be challenged, to be outside his comfort zone and away from the Top 14. I was like: ‘Join us, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he turned out to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson comments the young Pollock offers a particular enthusiasm. Has he coached anyone comparable? “Not really,” Dowson responds. “Everyone’s unique but Pollock is distinct and special in numerous aspects. He’s unafraid to be authentic.”

The player's breathtaking try against the Irish side in the past campaign illustrated his unusual talent, but various his expressive on-field behavior have resulted in claims of arrogance.

“He sometimes seems arrogant in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson says. “Plus Henry’s being serious the whole time. In terms of strategy he has input – he’s no fool. I feel at times it’s portrayed that he’s only a character. But he’s clever and good fun within the team.”

Not many coaches would admit to having a bromance with a colleague, but that is how Dowson describes his connection with Sam Vesty.

“Together have an curiosity around diverse subjects,” he explains. “We have a reading group. He aims to discover everything, seeks to understand all there is, aims to encounter new experiences, and I believe I’m the alike.

“We discuss many subjects away from the game: cinema, reading, concepts, creativity. When we played our French rivals last year, the cathedral was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”

One more date in France is approaching: Northampton’s comeback with the English competition will be temporary because the Champions Cup kicks in soon. Pau, in the foothills of the mountain range, are the opening fixture on matchday before the South African team travel to the following weekend.

“I’m not going to be arrogant to the extent to {