🔗 Share this article

This English town may not be the most exotic spot on the planet, but its squad delivers a great deal of excitement and passion.

In a place renowned for shoe production, you would think punting to be the Saints’ primary strategy. Yet under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in green, black and gold choose to retain possession.

Even though playing for a typically British community, they showcase a style associated with the greatest French masters of champagne rugby.

After Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the domestic league and gone deep in the continental tournament – losing to their Gallic opponents in the previous campaign's decider and ousted by Leinster in a semi-final before that.

They sit atop the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to Bristol on Saturday as the just one without a loss, chasing a initial success at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who featured in 262 premier fixtures for multiple clubs combined, always planned to be a coach.

“As a professional, I never seriously considered it,” he says. “Yet as you get older, you realise how much you enjoy the sport, and what the real world is like. I worked briefly at a financial institution doing work experience. You do the commute a several occasions, and it was difficult – you see what you possess and lack.”

Talks with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a position at Northampton. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson leads a squad ever more filled with national team players: key individuals started for England against the All Blacks two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a profound impact as a substitute in England’s successful series while the number ten, down the line, will take over the fly-half role.

Is the development of this exceptional group attributable to the team's ethos, or is it fortune?

“This is a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “I’d credit Chris Boyd, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the experience they had as a unit is definitely one of the factors they are so close-knit and so talented.”

Dowson also cites his predecessor, a former boss at their stadium, as a major influence. “It was my good fortune to be mentored by exceptionally insightful individuals,” he adds. “He had a big impact on my rugby life, my training methods, how I deal with individuals.”

Northampton play attractive football, which became obvious in the instance of the French fly-half. The Frenchman was a member of the opposing team overcome in the Champions Cup in April when Tommy Freeman registered a triple. Belleau admired the style sufficiently to buck the pattern of UK players moving to France.

“A mate rang me and remarked: ‘There’s a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a club,’” Dowson explains. “I said: ‘We lack the money for a overseas star. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He wants a fresh start, for the possibility to test himself,’ my contact said. That interested me. We had a conversation with him and his language skills was outstanding, he was well-spoken, he had a witty personality.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be coached, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and beyond the French league. I was thinking: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he proved to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson comments the young Henry Pollock provides a specific energy. Does he know an individual similar? “Never,” Dowson answers. “Each person is unique but he is distinct and special in many ways. He’s fearless to be himself.”

His breathtaking score against the Irish side previously illustrated his exceptional skill, but various his animated in-game behavior have resulted in claims of arrogance.

“On occasion appears overconfident in his behavior, but he’s far from it,” Dowson says. “Furthermore Henry’s not taking the piss the whole time. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I believe at times it’s depicted that he’s merely a joker. But he’s clever and a positive influence to have around.”

Few directors of rugby would describe themselves as enjoying a tight friendship with a assistant, but that is how Dowson characterizes his relationship with his co-coach.

“Sam and I possess an inquisitiveness around diverse subjects,” he notes. “We run a reading group. He wants to see various elements, aims to learn all there is, aims to encounter different things, and I believe I’m the same.

“We talk about many things away from the sport: movies, literature, concepts, creativity. When we met Stade [Français] in the past season, the cathedral was being done up, so we had a quick look.”

Another match in the French nation is coming up: Northampton’s return with the Prem will be temporary because the Champions Cup kicks in shortly. Pau, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, are the opening fixture on the coming weekend before the Bulls arrive at soon after.

“I refuse to be arrogant sufficiently to {