🔗 Share this article

This English town is hardly the most exotic spot globally, but its squad provides plenty of excitement and passion.

In a place known for boot‑making, you might expect kicking to be the Saints’ modus operandi. Yet under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in the club's hues choose to retain possession.

Despite representing a typically British town, they showcase a style typical of the greatest French practitioners of attacking rugby.

From the time Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have secured the English top flight and gone deep in the Champions Cup – defeated by a French side in the ultimate match and eliminated by the Irish province in a semi-final before that.

They sit atop the competition ladder after four wins and a draw and travel to Bristol on matchday as the sole undefeated team, aiming for a maiden victory at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 premier matches for various teams altogether, consistently aimed to be a trainer.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “However as you get older, you comprehend how much you love the sport, and what the real world looks like. I had a stint at a financial institution doing a trial period. You do the commute a multiple instances, and it was difficult – you grasp what you do and don’t have.”

Talks with club legends resulted in a role at the Saints. Fast-forward eight years and Dowson manages a team ever more packed with internationals: prominent figures lined up for the Red Rose facing the All Blacks two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a profound impact as a substitute in England’s perfect autumn while the number ten, in time, will inherit the pivotal position.

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

“It is a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “I’d credit Chris Boyd, who basically just threw them in, and we had some tough days. But the practice they had as a unit is definitely one of the reasons they are so close-knit and so skilled.”

Dowson also namechecks Mallinder, a former boss at their stadium, as a key figure. “I’ve been fortunate to be mentored by really interesting individuals,” he notes. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my professional journey, my management style, how I deal with others.”

Saints execute attractive rugby, which became obvious in the instance of Anthony Belleau. The import was a member of the Clermont XV overcome in the continental tournament in last season when Tommy Freeman scored a triple. The player liked what he saw enough to reverse the trend of English talent moving to France.

“An associate phoned me and said: ‘We know of a Gallic number ten who’s looking for a side,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘There's no money for a French fly-half. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for new challenges, for the chance to challenge himself,’ my friend said. That interested me. We had a conversation with him and his communication was outstanding, he was eloquent, he had a sense of humour.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He answered to be guided, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and away from the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he turned out to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the emerging Henry Pollock provides a unique enthusiasm. Does he know an individual like him? “No,” Dowson responds. “All players are individual but Henry is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be who he is.”

Pollock’s sensational try against Leinster previously showcased his freakish ability, but various his animated on-field behavior have resulted in accusations of overconfidence.

“At times appears overconfident in his actions, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore Henry’s not joking around constantly. Game-wise he has ideas – he’s not a clown. I feel sometimes it’s depicted that he’s only a character. But he’s intelligent and a positive influence in the squad.”

Not many directors of rugby would admit to sharing a close bond with a colleague, but that is how Dowson describes his connection with his co-coach.

“Sam and I share an inquisitiveness around various topics,” he says. “We have a reading group. He aims to discover all aspects, aims to learn all there is, desires to try varied activities, and I feel like I’m the similar.

“We talk about numerous things beyond the sport: films, literature, thoughts, creativity. When we met the Parisian club in the past season, the cathedral was under renovation, so we had a quick look.”

Another fixture in the French nation is looming: The Saints' reacquaintance with the domestic league will be temporary because the European tournament takes over next week. The French side, in the foothills of the border region, are up first on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club arrive at a week later.

“I won't be arrogant sufficiently to {