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This English town may not be the most exotic location on the planet, but its club provides a great deal of thrills and drama.

In a town known for shoe production, you would think kicking to be the Saints’ primary strategy. But under leader Phil Dowson, the squad in the club's hues opt to retain possession.

Although embodying a distinctly UK community, they exhibit a flair typical of the finest French practitioners of champagne rugby.

Since Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the English top flight and advanced far in the Champions Cup – beaten by their Gallic opponents in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by the Irish province in a penultimate round 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 just one without a loss, aiming for a initial success at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who participated in 262 premier matches for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, had long intended to be a coach.

“As a professional, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “Yet as you get older, you understand how much you enjoy the sport, and what the real world looks like. I had a stint at a banking firm doing an internship. You travel to work a few times, and it was difficult – you grasp what you do and don’t have.”

Discussions with former mentors resulted in a position at the Saints. Jump ahead several seasons and Dowson leads a roster ever more packed with global stars: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles lined up for the Red Rose facing the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a significant influence as a substitute in England’s flawless campaign while the fly-half, eventually, will assume the No 10 jersey.

Is the emergence of this outstanding cohort because of the Saints’ culture, or is it fortune?

“It's a bit of both,” says Dowson. “I would acknowledge the former director of rugby, who gave them opportunities, and we had challenging moments. But the practice they had as a collective is undoubtedly one of the factors they are so close-knit and so talented.”

Dowson also cites Mallinder, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “It was my good fortune to be mentored by really interesting people,” he notes. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my career, my coaching, how I interact with individuals.”

Northampton demonstrate entertaining the game, which was clearly evident in the instance of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was a member of the opposing team defeated in the continental tournament in the spring when the winger scored a hat-trick. The player was impressed enough to go against the flow of British stars heading across the Channel.

“An associate called me and remarked: ‘We've found a French 10 who’s looking for a side,’” Dowson recalls. “I replied: ‘There's no money for a imported playmaker. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for new challenges, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my friend informed me. That intrigued us. We spoke to Anthony and his language skills was incredible, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.

“We inquired: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He answered to be guided, to be pushed, to be facing unfamiliar situations and away from the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a great person.’ And he has been. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson states the young the flanker offers a unique energy. Has he coached a player comparable? “No,” Dowson answers. “Each person is unique but Henry is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be himself.”

The player's sensational try against their opponents in the past campaign demonstrated his freakish skill, but some of his animated during matches behavior have resulted in claims of cockiness.

“At times comes across as overconfident in his actions, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson asserts. “And Henry’s not joking around all the time. Game-wise he has input – he’s a smart player. I believe sometimes it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s clever and great to have to have around.”

Not many directors of rugby would describe themselves as enjoying a tight friendship with a head coach, but that is how Dowson describes his partnership with his co-coach.

“We both possess an inquisitiveness around various topics,” he says. “We have a book club. He wants to see all aspects, wants to know each detail, desires to try different things, and I feel like I’m the alike.

“We discuss numerous topics away from the game: films, books, thoughts, art. When we played our French rivals last year, Notre-Dame was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”

A further date in France is coming up: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the domestic league will be short-lived because the continental event kicks in soon. Pau, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, are up first on the coming weekend before the Bulls travel to a week later.

“I refuse to be arrogant sufficiently to {