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This English town may not be the most glamorous destination globally, but its squad offers a great deal of thrills and drama.

In a place renowned for footwear manufacturing, you would think punting to be the Northampton's modus operandi. However under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors choose to retain possession.

Even though playing for a distinctly UK town, they showcase a style typical of the greatest French exponents of attacking rugby.

Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the English top flight and gone deep in the continental tournament – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and ousted by Dublin-based club in a last-four clash earlier.

They sit atop the Prem table after four wins and a draw and travel to Bristol on matchday as the just one without a loss, seeking a maiden victory at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who participated in 262 top-flight fixtures for multiple clubs in total, consistently aimed to be a trainer.

“When I played, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “However as you get older, you understand how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the everyday life is like. I worked briefly at a financial institution doing a trial period. You make the journey a multiple instances, and it was difficult – you see what you do and don’t have.”

Conversations with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder led to a job at the Saints. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson leads a squad increasingly filled with national team players: key individuals started for the Red Rose against the New Zealand two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a major effect as a substitute in the national team's perfect autumn while Fin Smith, eventually, will assume the pivotal position.

Is the development of this exceptional cohort because of the team's ethos, or is it fortune?

“This is a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who thrust them into action, and we had challenging moments. But the exposure they had as a collective is undoubtedly one of the reasons they are so tight and so talented.”

Dowson also namechecks Jim Mallinder, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be guided by really interesting personalities,” he adds. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my professional journey, my management style, how I manage individuals.”

Northampton execute entertaining rugby, which proved literally true in the example of the French fly-half. The Frenchman was part of the French club defeated in the continental tournament in April when Freeman notched a three tries. The player admired the style enough to buck the pattern of British stars joining Top 14 sides.

“An associate phoned me and said: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson recalls. “I replied: ‘We don’t have budget for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He wants new challenges, for the opportunity to prove his worth,’ my contact told me. That intrigued us. We spoke to him and his communication was incredible, he was well-spoken, he had a funny side.

“We questioned: ‘What do you want from this?’ He said to be trained, to be challenged, to be outside his comfort zone and outside the French league. I was saying: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson says the 20-year-old the flanker provides a particular enthusiasm. Does he know anyone similar? “Never,” Dowson replies. “Each person is original but Henry is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be who he is.”

His spectacular score against their opponents last season illustrated his freakish talent, but some of his animated during matches actions have brought claims of overconfidence.

“On occasion comes across as arrogant in his conduct, but he’s far from it,” Dowson says. “Furthermore Pollock is not joking around the whole time. Tactically he has ideas – he’s no fool. I think sometimes it’s depicted that he’s just this idiot. But he’s clever and great to have in the squad.”

Hardly any managers would describe themselves as sharing a close bond with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with his co-coach.

“Together share an curiosity around various topics,” he explains. “We run a literary circle. He aims to discover everything, wants to know everything, wants to experience new experiences, and I feel like I’m the alike.

“We discuss numerous topics away from the sport: films, books, concepts, culture. When we met Stade [Français] previously, the landmark was undergoing restoration, so we had a little wander around.”

One more date in France is looming: The Saints' reacquaintance with the domestic league will be short-lived because the Champions Cup takes over shortly. Their next opponents, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, are up first on matchday before the South African team travel to a week later.

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