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Northampton is hardly the most glamorous location in the world, but its rugby union team delivers a great deal of romance and adventure.

In a city renowned for boot‑making, you would think boot work to be the Saints’ modus operandi. However under leader Phil Dowson, the squad in the club's hues choose to keep ball in hand.

Although representing a typically British location, they showcase a panache typical of the finest Gallic exponents of champagne rugby.

Since Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have claimed victory in the Premiership and advanced far in the Champions Cup – losing to a French side in the previous campaign's decider and eliminated by Dublin-based club in a last-four clash before that.

They sit atop the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and visit their West Country rivals on the weekend as the just one without a loss, chasing a initial success at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who featured in 262 premier matches for various teams combined, consistently aimed to be a coach.

“When I played, I never seriously considered it,” he says. “Yet as you age, you understand how much you enjoy the sport, and what the normal employment is like. I had a stint at a banking firm doing work experience. You travel to work a multiple instances, and it was difficult – you realise what you do and don’t have.”

Talks with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder resulted in a job at the Saints. Move forward eight years and Dowson manages a roster progressively crammed with national team players: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles were selected for England against the All Blacks two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a profound impact from the replacements in England’s successful series while Fin Smith, down the line, will assume the fly-half role.

Is the rise of this outstanding cohort due to the Saints’ culture, or is it luck?

“It is a mix of each,” says Dowson. “I would acknowledge Chris Boyd, who gave them opportunities, and we had difficult periods. But the exposure they had as a group is certainly one of the reasons they are so united and so skilled.”

Dowson also cites Mallinder, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a major influence. “I’ve been fortunate to be mentored by exceptionally insightful people,” he adds. “He had a major effect on my career, my coaching, how I manage people.”

Northampton demonstrate entertaining football, which became obvious in the example of Anthony Belleau. The import was a member of the French club beaten in the continental tournament in the spring when Freeman notched a three tries. Belleau liked what he saw to such an extent to reverse the trend of UK players heading across the Channel.

“An associate phoned me and remarked: ‘We know of a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a team,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘We lack the money for a imported playmaker. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He wants new challenges, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my mate said. That intrigued us. We had a conversation with Belleau and his communication was outstanding, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.

“We inquired: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He answered to be coached, to be challenged, to be in a new environment and away from the Top 14. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he proved to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson states the 20-year-old Pollock brings a specific vitality. Has he encountered an individual comparable? “Never,” Dowson responds. “All players are individual but he is distinct and special in numerous aspects. He’s unafraid to be himself.”

His spectacular try against Leinster last season illustrated his exceptional talent, but some of his expressive in-game behavior have resulted in claims of arrogance.

“On occasion seems overconfident in his behavior, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “Plus Pollock is being serious the whole time. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s no fool. I believe on occasion it’s depicted that he’s merely a joker. But he’s bright and great to have in the squad.”

Few directors of rugby would describe themselves as having a bromance with a head coach, but that is how Dowson characterizes his connection with Vesty.

“We both possess an inquisitiveness about diverse subjects,” he explains. “We maintain a book club. He aims to discover everything, wants to know all there is, aims to encounter varied activities, and I think I’m the same.

“We converse on many topics beyond the game: movies, reading, ideas, art. When we met Stade [Français] previously, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a quick look.”

A further date in France is approaching: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the domestic league will be temporary because the continental event takes over soon. The French side, in the foothills of the border region, are the initial challenge on Sunday week before the South African team travel to a week later.

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