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Northampton is hardly the most tropical destination in the world, but its squad delivers a great deal of thrills and drama.

In a city famous for shoe production, you could anticipate kicking to be the Northampton's main approach. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the team in the club's hues prefer to run with the ball.

Although playing for a quintessentially English location, they exhibit a flair associated with the greatest Gallic practitioners of champagne rugby.

After Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the domestic league and progressed well in the Champions Cup – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and eliminated by the Irish province in a last-four clash previously.

They sit atop the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and visit their West Country rivals on Saturday as the sole undefeated team, chasing a first win at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 top-flight games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, always planned to be a manager.

“During my career, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “Yet as you get older, you understand how much you appreciate the game, and what the real world entails. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You make the journey a several occasions, and it was challenging – you realise what you do and don’t have.”

Talks with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder led to a role at Northampton. Fast-forward eight years and Dowson leads a team increasingly crammed with internationals: key individuals were selected for the national side facing the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a significant influence as a substitute in the national team's flawless campaign while Fin Smith, in time, will inherit the pivotal position.

Is the emergence of this outstanding cohort because of the club's environment, or is it chance?

“It is a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “I would acknowledge an ex-coach, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the exposure they had as a group is definitely one of the factors they are so close-knit and so gifted.”

Dowson also mentions Mallinder, a former boss at the club's home, as a major influence. “It was my good fortune to be guided by highly engaging personalities,” he says. “Mallinder had a big impact on my career, my coaching, how I deal with individuals.”

The team demonstrate entertaining the game, which proved literally true in the case of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was a member of the opposing team defeated in the Champions Cup in April when the winger scored a hat-trick. Belleau was impressed enough to go against the flow of British stars heading across the Channel.

“A mate called me and stated: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘We lack the money 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 interested me. We met with him and his language skills was excellent, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.

“We inquired: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He responded to be trained, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the French league. I was like: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he has been. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson comments the 20-year-old Henry Pollock offers a unique energy. Has he coached a player comparable? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “Everyone’s unique but he is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s fearless to be authentic.”

His breathtaking touchdown against the Irish side in the past campaign demonstrated his exceptional skill, but various his animated on-field behavior have led to claims of cockiness.

“He sometimes appears arrogant in his conduct, but he’s far from it,” Dowson clarifies. “Plus Henry’s not joking around all the time. Tactically he has ideas – he’s not a clown. I think on occasion it’s portrayed that he’s only a character. But he’s bright and a positive influence in the squad.”

Hardly any coaches would admit to enjoying a tight friendship with a assistant, but that is how Dowson describes his relationship with Vesty.

“We both have an interest regarding diverse subjects,” he notes. “We maintain a book club. He desires to explore all aspects, aims to learn each detail, aims to encounter new experiences, and I believe I’m the alike.

“We discuss lots of things outside the game: movies, books, thoughts, art. When we faced Stade [Français] last year, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a little wander around.”

One more match in France is looming: The Saints' return with the English competition will be temporary because the European tournament kicks in shortly. Pau, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on matchday before the Pretoria-based club travel to the following weekend.

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