🔗 Share this article

This English town may not be the most glamorous location globally, but its squad offers a great deal of thrills and drama.

In a city known for boot‑making, you might expect boot work to be the Northampton's main approach. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in the club's hues choose to keep ball in hand.

Despite representing a typically British town, they display a panache typical of the greatest Gallic practitioners of attacking 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 European competition – losing to a French side in last season’s final and knocked out by Leinster in a semi-final before that.

They lead the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and visit Ashton Gate on matchday as the just one without a loss, chasing a maiden victory at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 premier games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester combined, had long intended to be a manager.

“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “However as you get older, you realise how much you appreciate the sport, and what the everyday life is like. I spent some time at a financial institution doing work experience. You make the journey a multiple instances, and it was tough – you grasp what you have going for you.”

Talks with former mentors culminated in a job at Northampton. Move forward eight years and Dowson guides a roster ever more filled with national team players: prominent figures started for England against the All Blacks two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a significant influence from the replacements in England’s perfect autumn while the fly-half, down the line, will assume the pivotal position.

Is the development of this outstanding generation due to the Saints’ culture, or is it fortune?

“It's a mix of each,” says Dowson. “My thanks go to Chris Boyd, who thrust them into action, and we had difficult periods. But the practice they had as a collective is undoubtedly one of the reasons they are so united and so talented.”

Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, a former boss at the club's home, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be mentored by highly engaging people,” he adds. “Jim had a big impact on my rugby life, my management style, how I interact with others.”

The team demonstrate attractive football, which proved literally true in the example of Anthony Belleau. The Frenchman was involved with the Clermont XV overcome in the continental tournament in last season when Tommy Freeman scored a hat-trick. He admired the style to such an extent to buck the pattern of English talent moving to France.

“A friend called me and remarked: ‘We've found a Gallic number ten who’s looking for a team,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘We don’t have funds for a imported playmaker. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He wants new challenges, for the possibility to test himself,’ my mate told me. That interested me. We spoke to Belleau and his communication was incredible, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.

“We asked: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be guided, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and away from the French league. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he proved to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the young the flanker offers a unique enthusiasm. Does he know a player comparable? “Not really,” Dowson answers. “All players are individual but he is unusual and remarkable in numerous aspects. He’s unafraid to be authentic.”

Pollock’s sensational touchdown against the Irish side last season showcased his exceptional talent, but a few of his animated on-field behavior have brought accusations of overconfidence.

“On occasion seems overconfident in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson asserts. “And he's not joking around all the time. Tactically he has contributions – he’s no fool. I feel sometimes it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s bright and good fun in the squad.”

Hardly any coaches would claim to have enjoying a tight friendship with a assistant, but that is how Dowson describes his partnership with Sam Vesty.

“Together have an inquisitiveness around different things,” he says. “We have a book club. He desires to explore everything, wants to know each detail, wants to experience new experiences, and I believe I’m the alike.

“We discuss many topics away from the sport: cinema, literature, ideas, art. When we played our French rivals in the past season, the cathedral was under renovation, so we had a brief exploration.”

A further match in the French nation is coming up: The Saints' return with the domestic league will be brief because the continental event takes over next week. The French side, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, are up first on Sunday week before the Bulls visit the following weekend.

“I won't be arrogant enough to {