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This English town is hardly the most tropical location in the world, but its rugby union team provides an abundance of excitement and passion.

In a place famous for boot‑making, you could anticipate kicking to be the Northampton's modus operandi. Yet under leader Phil Dowson, the team in green, black and gold prefer to keep ball in hand.

Despite playing for a distinctly UK location, they display a flair typical of the finest Gallic exponents of expansive play.

Since Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have won the domestic league and gone deep in the European competition – defeated by a French side in the ultimate match and ousted by Leinster in a penultimate round before that.

They sit atop the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and visit their West Country rivals on matchday as the only unbeaten side, seeking a first win at Bristol's home since 2021.

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

“As a professional, I hadn't given it much thought,” he states. “Yet as you age, you comprehend how much you appreciate the game, and what the normal employment looks like. I worked briefly at a financial institution doing work experience. You make the journey a few times, and it was challenging – you grasp what you possess and lack.”

Talks with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a job at the Saints. Move forward several seasons and Dowson manages a squad ever more packed with national team players: key individuals lined up for the national side versus the All Blacks two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a major effect from the replacements in England’s flawless campaign while the number ten, down the line, will take over the pivotal position.

Is the rise of this outstanding generation attributable to the Saints’ culture, or is it chance?

“This is a mix of each,” states Dowson. “I’d credit Chris Boyd, who thrust them into action, 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, a former boss at Franklin’s Gardens, as a major influence. “I’ve been fortunate to be mentored by really interesting people,” he adds. “He had a major effect on my professional journey, my management style, how I deal with individuals.”

Northampton demonstrate attractive football, which became obvious in the example of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was a member of the French club overcome in the continental tournament in last season when Freeman scored a hat-trick. The player was impressed to such an extent to reverse the trend of UK players joining Top 14 sides.

“A friend called me and remarked: ‘There’s a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a team,’” Dowson recalls. “My response was: ‘We don’t have funds for a French fly-half. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for new challenges, for the opportunity to test himself,’ my friend said. That caught my attention. We spoke to Belleau and his language skills was outstanding, he was articulate, he had a sense of humour.

“We asked: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He answered to be coached, to be challenged, to be in a new environment and beyond the domestic competition. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he has been. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson says the young Henry Pollock offers a unique vitality. Has he encountered a player comparable? “Never,” Dowson replies. “Everyone’s individual but he is different and unique in numerous aspects. He’s unafraid to be himself.”

His breathtaking try against Leinster previously demonstrated his freakish skill, but a few of his animated on-field actions have led to allegations of arrogance.

“He sometimes appears cocky in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore Henry’s being serious constantly. In terms of strategy he has contributions – he’s a smart player. I believe at times it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s bright and great to have to have around.”

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

“We both possess an curiosity about various topics,” he says. “We run a reading group. He desires to explore everything, seeks to understand all there is, desires to try new experiences, and I feel like I’m the alike.

“We discuss numerous things beyond the game: cinema, books, ideas, culture. When we faced Stade [Français] in the past season, the landmark was under renovation, so we had a little wander around.”

Another fixture in Gall is looming: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the English competition will be temporary because the continental event kicks in soon. Their next opponents, in the foothills of the border region, are the opening fixture on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club visit a week later.

“I’m not going to be presumptuous enough to {