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Northampton isn't exactly the most glamorous location on the planet, but its rugby union team delivers a great deal of thrills and drama.

In a town known for shoe production, you would think punting to be the Saints’ modus operandi. Yet under head coach Phil Dowson, the side in their distinctive colors opt to keep ball in hand.

Despite embodying a typically British community, they showcase a style synonymous with the finest French exponents of attacking rugby.

Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have secured the Premiership and progressed well in the European competition – beaten by a French side in last season’s final and eliminated by Dublin-based club in a last-four clash previously.

They currently top the league standings after four wins and a draw and travel to Bristol on the weekend as the sole undefeated team, aiming for a maiden victory at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who featured in 262 top-flight fixtures for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, consistently aimed to be a manager.

“When I played, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “Yet as you get older, you realise how much you enjoy the sport, and what the everyday life is like. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You do the commute a few times, and it was tough – you see what you have going for you.”

Conversations with former mentors resulted in a job at Northampton. Jump ahead several seasons and Dowson leads a team progressively packed with internationals: prominent figures started for the Red Rose facing the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a major effect as a substitute in the national team's successful series while Fin Smith, eventually, will take over the pivotal position.

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

“It is a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who gave them opportunities, and we had challenging moments. But the practice they had as a group is certainly one of the factors they are so tight and so skilled.”

Dowson also namechecks Jim Mallinder, an earlier coach at their stadium, as a key figure. “I’ve been fortunate to be guided by highly engaging people,” he says. “Mallinder had a major effect on my professional journey, my management style, how I interact with people.”

Saints demonstrate appealing the game, which proved literally true in the example of the French fly-half. The Gallic player was part of the French club beaten in the Champions Cup in last season when Freeman registered a hat-trick. Belleau liked what he saw sufficiently to reverse the trend of British stars heading across the Channel.

“An associate called me and remarked: ‘There’s a fly-half from France who’s looking for a side,’” Dowson says. “My response was: ‘There's no funds for a overseas star. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the chance to challenge himself,’ my friend told me. That intrigued us. We met with him and his English was incredible, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.

“We asked: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He responded to be trained, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and outside the Top 14. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson states the young Henry Pollock brings a specific energy. Has he coached anyone similar? “No,” Dowson answers. “Everyone’s unique but he is unusual and remarkable in numerous aspects. He’s unafraid to be authentic.”

The player's sensational try against the Irish side last season showcased his unusual talent, but some of his expressive during matches antics have led to allegations of cockiness.

“He sometimes appears cocky in his conduct, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson clarifies. “Plus Henry’s not joking around constantly. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s no fool. I feel at times it’s depicted that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and a positive influence in the squad.”

Not many directors of rugby would claim to have sharing a close bond with a head coach, but that is how Dowson characterizes his relationship with Vesty.

“Sam and I share an curiosity regarding various topics,” he says. “We run a reading group. He aims to discover all aspects, wants to know everything, wants to experience new experiences, and I feel like I’m the alike.

“We discuss numerous topics away from rugby: movies, books, concepts, culture. When we played Stade [Français] previously, Notre-Dame was under renovation, so we had a brief exploration.”

A further fixture in France is looming: Northampton’s comeback with the English competition will be brief because the Champions Cup takes over soon. The French side, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are up first on the coming weekend before the Pretoria-based club travel to soon after.

“I’m not going to be arrogant sufficiently to {