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This English town may not be the most glamorous spot on the planet, but its rugby union team delivers an abundance of excitement and passion.

In a place renowned for shoe production, you would think boot work to be the Northampton's main approach. However under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in the club's hues choose to retain possession.

Even though playing for a quintessentially English location, they exhibit a panache associated with the greatest Gallic exponents of attacking rugby.

Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have won the domestic league and gone deep in the European competition – defeated by a French side in the ultimate match and eliminated by Dublin-based club in a semi-final before that.

They lead the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and travel to Bristol on the weekend as the just one without a loss, chasing a maiden victory at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who played 262 top-flight matches for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, had long intended to be a manager.

“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “However as you age, you understand how much you appreciate the rugby, and what the normal employment is like. I worked briefly at a financial institution doing an internship. You travel to work a multiple instances, and it was tough – you see what you possess and lack.”

Conversations with former mentors led to a role at the Saints. Jump ahead a decade and Dowson manages a roster increasingly filled with national team players: prominent figures started for the Red Rose facing the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a profound impact from the replacements in the national team's perfect autumn while the number ten, down the line, will take over the No 10 jersey.

Is the development of this exceptional generation attributable to the Saints’ culture, or is it chance?

“It's a bit of both,” states Dowson. “I would acknowledge an ex-coach, who basically just threw them in, and we had some tough days. But the practice they had as a unit is certainly one of the reasons they are so united and so talented.”

Dowson also cites his predecessor, another predecessor at the club's home, as a major influence. “It was my good fortune to be guided by really interesting personalities,” he adds. “Mallinder had a major effect on my career, my management style, how I interact with others.”

Saints demonstrate attractive football, which proved literally true in the case of the French fly-half. The Gallic player was part of the French club defeated in the European competition in the spring when the winger notched a hat-trick. He was impressed to such an extent to reverse the trend of UK players moving to France.

“An associate rang me and said: ‘There’s a fly-half from France who’s seeking a club,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘We don’t have funds for a imported playmaker. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the chance to test himself,’ my mate told me. That intrigued us. We had a conversation with Anthony and his English was excellent, he was articulate, he had a funny side.

“We inquired: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He answered to be trained, to be driven, to be in a new environment and outside the French league. I was saying: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he proved to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the young Henry Pollock provides a unique vitality. Has he coached a player like him? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “All players are original but he is unusual and remarkable in numerous aspects. He’s not afraid to be himself.”

Pollock’s spectacular score against their opponents in the past campaign demonstrated his freakish ability, but a few of his demonstrative during matches actions have resulted in claims of cockiness.

“At times appears overconfident in his conduct, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson says. “Plus he's not taking the piss the whole time. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s not a clown. I believe on occasion it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s bright and great to have in the squad.”

Hardly any managers would admit to sharing a close bond with a colleague, but that is how Dowson characterizes his partnership with Vesty.

“Sam and I possess an inquisitiveness about different things,” he notes. “We maintain a book club. He desires to explore all aspects, aims to learn everything, wants to experience new experiences, and I believe I’m the similar.

“We converse on lots of subjects away from rugby: films, reading, thoughts, creativity. When we faced our French rivals in the past season, the cathedral was undergoing restoration, so we had a brief exploration.”

A further match in the French nation is coming up: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the English competition will be brief because the continental event kicks in shortly. Pau, in the foothills of the border region, are the opening fixture on the coming weekend before the Bulls visit soon after.

“I refuse to be arrogant enough to {