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This English town is hardly the most glamorous destination in the world, but its squad provides an abundance of thrills and drama.

In a place famous for shoe production, you could anticipate boot work to be the Northampton's primary strategy. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors prefer to keep ball in hand.

Even though playing for a distinctly UK location, they exhibit a flair associated with the best French exponents of attacking rugby.

Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have claimed victory in the English top flight and advanced far in the Champions Cup – losing to a French side in last season’s final and ousted by the Irish province in a semi-final earlier.

They sit atop the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and visit Bristol on Saturday as the sole undefeated team, seeking a first win at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who featured in 262 top-flight fixtures for various teams altogether, always planned to be a trainer.

“During my career, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “Yet as you mature, you comprehend how much you appreciate the game, and what the real world looks like. I had a stint at a financial institution doing an internship. You make the journey a few times, and it was tough – you see what you do and don’t have.”

Discussions with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder resulted in a job at the Saints. Fast-forward a decade and Dowson leads a squad progressively crammed with global stars: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for the national side against the New Zealand two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a significant influence off the bench in the national team's perfect autumn while the number ten, eventually, will assume the pivotal position.

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

“This is a mix of each,” says Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the experience they had as a unit is certainly one of the factors they are so close-knit and so talented.”

Dowson also mentions his predecessor, an earlier coach at their stadium, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be guided by exceptionally insightful people,” he adds. “Mallinder had a big impact on my rugby life, my coaching, how I interact with people.”

Saints play entertaining rugby, which proved literally true in the case of their new signing. The Frenchman was a member of the opposing team overcome in the Champions Cup in April when the winger scored a three tries. The player was impressed sufficiently to reverse the trend of UK players moving to France.

“A friend rang me and stated: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s seeking a side,’” Dowson says. “I replied: ‘There's no funds for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for a fresh start, for the opportunity to prove his worth,’ my friend said. That interested me. We had a conversation with Anthony and his communication was excellent, he was articulate, he had a sense of humour.

“We asked: ‘What do you want from this?’ He answered to be trained, to be driven, to be in a new environment and outside the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he has been. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson comments the 20-year-old Henry Pollock offers a particular enthusiasm. Does he know anyone similar? “No,” Dowson replies. “Everyone’s individual but Henry is unusual and remarkable in numerous aspects. He’s fearless to be himself.”

Pollock’s sensational touchdown against Leinster last season demonstrated his exceptional ability, but a few of his demonstrative during matches antics have brought claims of overconfidence.

“On occasion comes across as cocky in his behavior, but he’s far from it,” Dowson says. “And he's not joking around the whole time. Game-wise he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I feel on occasion it’s portrayed that he’s just this idiot. But he’s bright and a positive influence in the squad.”

Hardly any coaches would admit to having a bromance with a head coach, but that is how Dowson characterizes his relationship with his co-coach.

“Together possess an inquisitiveness regarding diverse subjects,” he notes. “We have a literary circle. He wants to see everything, seeks to understand everything, aims to encounter varied activities, and I feel like I’m the same.

“We discuss numerous things away from the sport: cinema, literature, concepts, culture. When we played the Parisian club previously, the cathedral was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

A further match in Gall is looming: Northampton’s comeback with the English competition will be temporary because the European tournament intervenes soon. Pau, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on matchday before the Pretoria-based club arrive at the following weekend.

“I refuse to be overconfident to the extent to {