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This English town is hardly the most exotic location in the world, but its rugby union team delivers a great deal of romance and adventure.

In a city famous for shoe production, you could anticipate kicking to be the Saints’ main approach. However under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in green, black and gold prefer to run with the ball.

Even though embodying a typically British community, they exhibit a panache synonymous with the finest French practitioners of expansive play.

After Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have secured the Premiership and gone deep in the Champions Cup – defeated by Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and eliminated by Leinster in a semi-final before that.

They sit atop the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and head to Bristol on Saturday as the only unbeaten side, seeking a first win at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who featured in 262 premier games for multiple clubs altogether, had long intended to be a manager.

“As a professional, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “However as you age, you understand how much you enjoy the game, and what the everyday life entails. I worked briefly at a financial institution doing work experience. You travel to work a few times, and it was tough – you grasp what you have going for you.”

Conversations with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder led to a position at the Saints. Jump ahead a decade and Dowson leads a team progressively crammed with global stars: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles were selected for the national side against the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a significant influence as a substitute in England’s flawless campaign while Fin Smith, eventually, will take over the pivotal position.

Is the emergence of this exceptional cohort attributable to the club's environment, or is it luck?

“This is a bit of both,” comments Dowson. “I would acknowledge Chris Boyd, who thrust them into action, and we had some tough days. But the practice they had as a group is definitely one of the reasons they are so united and so skilled.”

Dowson also mentions Mallinder, a former boss at the club's home, as a key figure. “I’ve been fortunate to be guided by highly engaging individuals,” he says. “He had a big impact on my professional journey, my coaching, how I interact with others.”

Northampton demonstrate appealing the game, which became obvious in the case of their new signing. The Frenchman was involved with the French club overcome in the European competition in last season when Freeman notched a hat-trick. The player liked what he saw to such an extent to reverse the trend of English talent moving to France.

“An associate phoned me and said: ‘We've found a fly-half from France who’s seeking a side,’” Dowson says. “I replied: ‘We lack the funds for a imported playmaker. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He desires a fresh start, for the opportunity to challenge himself,’ my mate informed me. That interested me. We had a conversation with Anthony and his communication was outstanding, he was eloquent, he had a witty personality.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be coached, to be pushed, to be in a new environment and outside the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he turned out to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the young Henry Pollock offers a specific enthusiasm. Has he coached an individual comparable? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “Everyone’s individual but he is distinct and special in many ways. He’s fearless to be authentic.”

The player's spectacular score against their opponents in the past campaign showcased his freakish skill, but some of his demonstrative during matches antics have brought accusations of arrogance.

“He sometimes seems overconfident in his behavior, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “Plus Pollock is not joking around constantly. Game-wise he has contributions – he’s not a clown. I feel at times it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s bright and good fun within the team.”

Not many coaches would describe themselves as having a bromance with a colleague, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with Sam Vesty.

“Together possess an inquisitiveness about different things,” he says. “We have a book club. He aims to discover everything, aims to learn all there is, aims to encounter varied activities, and I feel like I’m the same.

“We converse on lots of things beyond the sport: movies, books, thoughts, creativity. When we met the Parisian club previously, the landmark was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

One more match in the French nation is coming up: Northampton’s return with the domestic league will be short-lived because the Champions Cup takes over soon. Pau, in the shadow of the Pyrenees, are up first on Sunday week before the South African team travel to a week later.

“I’m not going to be presumptuous enough to {