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This English town may not be the most glamorous destination globally, but its squad provides plenty of thrills and drama.

In a place renowned for footwear manufacturing, you would think boot work to be the Saints’ primary strategy. Yet under leader Phil Dowson, the squad in their distinctive colors opt to keep ball in hand.

Even though playing for a quintessentially English town, they showcase a panache synonymous with the finest Gallic practitioners of champagne rugby.

From the time Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have secured the domestic league and advanced far in the Champions Cup – defeated by their Gallic opponents in the previous campaign's decider and eliminated by Dublin-based club in a last-four clash before that.

They sit atop the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and head to Ashton Gate on Saturday as the only unbeaten side, seeking a first win at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who played 262 premier fixtures for multiple clubs combined, consistently aimed to be a coach.

“As a professional, I hadn't given it much thought,” he states. “However as you age, you understand how much you enjoy the sport, and what the normal employment entails. I worked briefly at Metro Bank doing work experience. You make the journey a multiple instances, and it was challenging – you grasp what you have going for you.”

Discussions with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder led to a job at Northampton. Jump ahead several seasons and Dowson manages a roster ever more crammed with national team players: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for the national side against the New Zealand two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a significant influence from the replacements in the national team's perfect autumn while the fly-half, in time, will assume the fly-half role.

Is the rise of this remarkable cohort due to the Saints’ culture, or is it chance?

“This is a bit of both,” states Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who thrust them into action, and we had difficult periods. But the experience they had as a unit is undoubtedly one of the causes they are so tight and so talented.”

Dowson also mentions his predecessor, a former boss at their stadium, as a key figure. “It was my good fortune to be guided by exceptionally insightful individuals,” he says. “Mallinder had a big impact on my rugby life, my training methods, how I manage individuals.”

The team execute appealing the game, which was clearly evident in the instance of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was part of the opposing team overcome in the European competition in the spring when the winger scored a three tries. Belleau was impressed sufficiently to go against the flow of British stars joining Top 14 sides.

“An associate called me and stated: ‘We know of a fly-half from France who’s in search of a team,’” Dowson explains. “My response was: ‘We don’t have funds for a overseas star. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the opportunity to challenge himself,’ my mate informed me. That intrigued us. We spoke to Belleau and his communication was incredible, he was articulate, he had a funny side.

“We inquired: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He said to be guided, to be challenged, to be outside his comfort zone and outside the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he has been. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson states the 20-year-old the flanker brings a particular enthusiasm. Does he know a player similar? “No,” Dowson responds. “Everyone’s unique but he is different and unique in many ways. He’s unafraid to be who he is.”

Pollock’s breathtaking score against their opponents last season demonstrated his freakish talent, but various his demonstrative on-field antics have led to accusations of arrogance.

“On occasion appears overconfident in his actions, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore Pollock is not joking around all the time. Game-wise he has input – he’s no fool. I think at times it’s shown that he’s merely a joker. But he’s bright and great to have in the squad.”

Not many managers would admit to enjoying a tight friendship with a colleague, but that is how Dowson describes his partnership with Sam Vesty.

“We both share an interest about diverse subjects,” he notes. “We run a literary circle. He aims to discover all aspects, aims to learn all there is, aims to encounter different things, and I think I’m the alike.

“We converse on numerous topics beyond rugby: films, literature, thoughts, culture. When we faced Stade [Français] last year, the cathedral was undergoing restoration, so we had a brief exploration.”

A further match in the French nation is looming: The Saints' reacquaintance with the domestic league will be temporary because the European tournament kicks in next week. The French side, in the foothills of the border region, are up first on Sunday week before the South African team travel to soon after.

“I won't be overconfident sufficiently to {