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Northampton isn't exactly the most tropical location in the world, but its club offers an abundance of thrills and drama.

In a town famous for footwear manufacturing, you could anticipate kicking to be the Saints’ primary strategy. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the squad in the club's hues prefer to retain possession.

Even though embodying a distinctly UK community, they showcase a panache associated with the best French practitioners of champagne rugby.

From the time Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have claimed victory in the Premiership and gone deep in the European competition – beaten by their Gallic opponents in last season’s final and knocked out by Leinster in a semi-final before that.

They currently top the Prem table after four wins and a draw and visit their West Country rivals on matchday as the sole undefeated team, aiming for a initial success at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 elite matches for various teams altogether, consistently aimed to be a coach.

“As a professional, I never seriously considered it,” he states. “But as you get older, you understand how much you love the sport, and what the normal employment entails. I worked briefly at Metro Bank doing work experience. You make the journey a several occasions, and it was challenging – you grasp what you possess and lack.”

Conversations with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder led to a job at the Saints. Jump ahead a decade and Dowson manages a team progressively packed with global stars: key individuals were selected for the national side versus the All Blacks two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a profound impact from the replacements in England’s successful series while the number ten, in time, will take over the pivotal position.

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

“It is a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to the former director of rugby, who thrust them into action, and we had difficult periods. But the exposure they had as a collective is definitely one of the reasons they are so close-knit and so talented.”

Dowson also mentions Jim Mallinder, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a key figure. “I’ve been fortunate to be coached by exceptionally insightful personalities,” he adds. “Mallinder had a big impact on my professional journey, my coaching, how I interact with individuals.”

Northampton demonstrate entertaining the game, which proved literally true in the instance of the French fly-half. The import was part of the Clermont XV defeated in the Champions Cup in the spring when the winger registered a triple. He was impressed enough to buck the pattern of English talent joining Top 14 sides.

“A friend called me and remarked: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s looking for a side,’” Dowson explains. “My response was: ‘We lack the budget for a overseas star. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He wants a fresh start, for the chance to prove his worth,’ my mate told me. That interested me. We met with Belleau and his English was incredible, he was eloquent, he had a funny side.

“We asked: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He responded to be coached, to be pushed, to be facing unfamiliar situations and outside the Top 14. I was like: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he has been. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson says the young Pollock provides a unique energy. Does he know an individual like him? “No,” Dowson responds. “All players are original but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be who he is.”

The player's breathtaking touchdown against the Irish side in the past campaign showcased his exceptional skill, but some of his expressive during matches antics have brought accusations of overconfidence.

“At times appears cocky in his actions, but he’s not,” Dowson asserts. “Furthermore he's not taking the piss the whole time. Tactically he has contributions – he’s a smart player. I think at times it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and good fun to have around.”

Hardly any managers would admit to sharing a close bond with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with Vesty.

“We both have an curiosity about diverse subjects,” he explains. “We maintain a book club. He wants to see everything, seeks to understand all there is, wants to experience different things, and I feel like I’m the alike.

“We talk about many topics beyond rugby: films, literature, ideas, culture. When we met the Parisian club previously, Notre-Dame was under renovation, so we had a brief exploration.”

Another date in France is approaching: Northampton’s return with the domestic league will be brief because the continental event intervenes shortly. Their next opponents, in the foothills of the border region, are the initial challenge on matchday before the Pretoria-based club arrive at soon after.

“I refuse to be overconfident to the extent to {