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Northampton isn't exactly the most tropical destination in the world, but its squad delivers a great deal of excitement and passion.

In a town renowned for shoe production, you would think kicking to be the Northampton's modus operandi. Yet under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in their distinctive colors choose to retain possession.

Even though playing for a typically British community, they exhibit a panache associated with the best Gallic practitioners of expansive play.

Since Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have won the English top flight and gone deep in the continental tournament – defeated by a French side in last season’s final and eliminated by the Irish province in a penultimate round before that.

They lead the league standings after multiple successes and a single stalemate and visit Ashton Gate on the weekend as the sole undefeated team, seeking a initial success at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who participated in 262 premier fixtures for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, consistently aimed to be a coach.

“During my career, I never seriously considered it,” he remarks. “But as you mature, you understand how much you love the game, and what the normal employment looks like. I spent some time at a banking firm doing a trial period. You travel to work a several occasions, and it was tough – you see what you have going for you.”

Conversations with club legends led to a position at the Saints. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson manages a squad increasingly packed with national team players: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for England against the New Zealand two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a significant influence off the bench in England’s flawless campaign while the number ten, in time, will assume the No 10 jersey.

Is the development of this outstanding cohort due to the club's environment, or is it chance?

“It is a mix of each,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to an ex-coach, who basically just threw them in, and we had difficult periods. But the experience they had as a collective is certainly one of the factors they are so united and so gifted.”

Dowson also cites his predecessor, a former boss at their stadium, as a major influence. “I’ve been fortunate to be guided by highly engaging personalities,” he adds. “Mallinder had a major effect on my career, my coaching, how I interact with others.”

The team execute attractive the game, which proved literally true in the case of Anthony Belleau. The Frenchman was involved with the Clermont XV defeated in the European competition in the spring when Tommy Freeman scored a three tries. Belleau liked what he saw to such an extent to buck the pattern of English talent moving to France.

“A mate rang me and said: ‘We know of a fly-half from France who’s in search of a team,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘There's no budget for a overseas star. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He wants new challenges, for the chance to test himself,’ my contact said. That intrigued us. We had a conversation with him and his English was outstanding, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.

“We questioned: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He said to be coached, to be pushed, to be in a new environment and outside the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson comments the emerging the flanker offers a particular energy. Does he know anyone similar? “No,” Dowson answers. “Everyone’s original but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be himself.”

Pollock’s spectacular touchdown against Leinster previously illustrated his freakish skill, but some of his animated during matches behavior have brought allegations of arrogance.

“On occasion appears cocky in his actions, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “And Pollock is being serious the whole time. Game-wise he has input – he’s not a clown. I think at times it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s intelligent and a positive influence to have around.”

Hardly any directors of rugby would claim to have enjoying a tight friendship with a head coach, but that is how Dowson characterizes his connection with Vesty.

“We both share an interest around different things,” he says. “We maintain a literary circle. He aims to discover everything, aims to learn everything, desires to try new experiences, and I feel like I’m the same.

“We discuss lots of things beyond rugby: movies, books, ideas, culture. When we faced the Parisian club last year, Notre-Dame was under renovation, so we had a quick look.”

A further match in the French nation is approaching: The Saints' comeback with the domestic league will be brief because the Champions Cup kicks in shortly. Their next opponents, in the shadow of the Pyrenees, are the opening fixture on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club travel to the following weekend.

“I won't be overconfident enough to {