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Northampton may not be the most tropical location in the world, but its squad provides plenty of excitement and passion.

In a town famous for shoe production, you might expect punting to be the Saints’ main approach. However under leader Phil Dowson, the squad in the club's hues opt to retain possession.

Even though embodying a quintessentially English community, they exhibit a panache associated with the best French exponents of attacking rugby.

After Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the domestic league and advanced far in the Champions Cup – beaten by their Gallic opponents in the ultimate match and knocked out by the Irish province in a semi-final before that.

They lead the league standings after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to their West Country rivals on matchday as the sole undefeated team, seeking a first win at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who featured in 262 premier games for various teams combined, had long intended to be a manager.

“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “However as you mature, you comprehend how much you enjoy the sport, and what the normal employment is like. I had a stint at a financial institution doing work experience. You travel to work a few times, and it was challenging – you realise what you possess and lack.”

Discussions with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a job at the Saints. Move forward eight years and Dowson guides a team progressively packed with internationals: key individuals lined up for the national side facing the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a profound impact as a substitute in England’s successful series while Fin Smith, in time, will take over the fly-half role.

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

“This is a mix of each,” states Dowson. “My thanks go to the former director of rugby, who thrust them into action, and we had challenging moments. But the experience they had as a group is certainly one of the reasons they are so united and so skilled.”

Dowson also mentions Mallinder, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “It was my good fortune to be guided by really interesting individuals,” he adds. “Mallinder had a major effect on my professional journey, my coaching, how I deal with others.”

The team execute appealing football, which proved literally true in the example of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was involved with the French club defeated in the Champions Cup in last season when Tommy Freeman notched a triple. He was impressed to such an extent to go against the flow of English talent heading across the Channel.

“A mate phoned me and remarked: ‘There’s a Gallic number ten who’s seeking a side,’” Dowson says. “My response was: ‘We don’t have budget for a overseas star. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for a fresh start, for the chance to challenge himself,’ my contact said. That intrigued us. We met with Anthony and his communication was excellent, he was well-spoken, he had a funny side.

“We asked: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He said to be guided, to be pushed, to be in a new environment and outside the Top 14. I was like: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he has been. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson says the young Pollock brings a unique vitality. Does he know a player similar? “No,” Dowson responds. “All players are individual but he is unusual and remarkable in numerous aspects. He’s unafraid to be himself.”

His sensational try against their opponents previously demonstrated his freakish ability, but various his demonstrative in-game actions have led to accusations of overconfidence.

“At times appears arrogant in his actions, but he’s far from it,” Dowson asserts. “Plus he's not taking the piss all the time. Tactically he has ideas – he’s not a clown. I think on occasion it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s intelligent and a positive influence to have around.”

Few managers would claim to have enjoying a tight friendship with a colleague, but that is how Dowson describes his partnership with Sam Vesty.

“We both have an interest regarding diverse subjects,” he says. “We maintain a reading group. He aims to discover everything, wants to know everything, wants to experience new experiences, and I think I’m the similar.

“We talk about lots of things outside the sport: cinema, literature, concepts, culture. When we faced Stade [Français] in the past season, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

Another match in the French nation is approaching: The Saints' return with the English competition will be short-lived because the European tournament kicks in shortly. Their next opponents, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, are up first on Sunday week before the South African team visit the following weekend.

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