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This English town isn't exactly the most glamorous spot in the world, but its rugby union team provides an abundance of romance and adventure.

In a place renowned for boot‑making, you might expect kicking to be the Saints’ primary strategy. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in their distinctive colors opt to run with the ball.

Although embodying a distinctly UK location, they showcase a style associated with the greatest French masters of champagne rugby.

After Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have won the Premiership and advanced far in the continental tournament – losing to a French side in the ultimate match and knocked out by the Irish province in a last-four clash previously.

They currently top the competition ladder after a series of victories and one tie and visit their West Country rivals on matchday as the just one without a loss, seeking a first win at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who participated in 262 premier fixtures for various teams in total, consistently aimed to be a coach.

“During my career, I never seriously considered it,” he remarks. “But as you get older, you comprehend how much you enjoy the game, and what the everyday life looks like. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing an internship. You make the journey a several occasions, and it was difficult – you realise what you do and don’t have.”

Conversations with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder led to a role at Northampton. Fast-forward eight years and Dowson manages a roster ever more packed with national team players: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles were selected for the national side versus the All Blacks two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a major effect off the bench in the national team's flawless campaign while the number ten, down the line, will inherit the fly-half role.

Is the emergence of this exceptional group attributable to the Saints’ culture, or is it fortune?

“It's a bit of both,” says Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the exposure they had as a collective is definitely one of the factors they are so close-knit and so talented.”

Dowson also namechecks Mallinder, a former boss at the club's home, as a key figure. “I’ve been fortunate to be mentored by really interesting individuals,” he notes. “Mallinder had a major effect on my rugby life, my management style, how I manage others.”

Saints play appealing rugby, which proved literally true in the instance of Anthony Belleau. The Frenchman was part of the opposing team overcome in the Champions Cup in April when Freeman notched a hat-trick. He admired the style enough to go against the flow of English talent heading across the Channel.

“A mate phoned me and remarked: ‘There’s a fly-half from France who’s looking for a team,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘There's no money for a overseas star. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He desires experience, for the possibility to test himself,’ my friend told me. That intrigued us. We had a conversation with him and his language skills was incredible, he was eloquent, he had a witty personality.

“We questioned: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He answered to be trained, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the French league. I was saying: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson comments the emerging the flanker provides a particular vitality. Does he know anyone similar? “No,” Dowson answers. “All players are original but he is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be who he is.”

The player's breathtaking touchdown against the Irish side in the past campaign illustrated his unusual ability, but various his expressive in-game behavior have led to accusations of overconfidence.

“He sometimes appears arrogant in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore he's not joking around constantly. Tactically he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I believe sometimes it’s shown that he’s merely a joker. But he’s bright and great to have in the squad.”

Not many directors of rugby would admit to sharing a close bond with a head coach, but that is how Dowson frames his partnership with Vesty.

“Together possess an inquisitiveness about diverse subjects,” he explains. “We have a reading group. He wants to see everything, aims to learn each detail, desires to try different things, and I feel like I’m the alike.

“We talk about numerous things outside rugby: films, literature, thoughts, art. When we played our French rivals in the past season, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

A further fixture in France is approaching: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the Prem will be brief because the Champions Cup takes over soon. Pau, in the shadow of the Pyrenees, are up first on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club visit a week later.

“I won't be arrogant sufficiently to {