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This English town may not be the most exotic destination in the world, but its club offers a great deal of excitement and passion.

In a town known for boot‑making, you could anticipate kicking to be the Northampton's modus operandi. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in green, black and gold prefer to retain possession.

Despite representing a quintessentially English town, they showcase a style associated with the finest French exponents of champagne rugby.

From the time Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have won the Premiership and gone deep in the Champions Cup – beaten by Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a semi-final previously.

They sit atop the league standings after four wins and a draw and head to their West Country rivals on the weekend as the sole undefeated team, seeking a initial success at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who played 262 top-flight fixtures for various teams combined, consistently aimed to be a coach.

“When I played, I never seriously considered it,” he says. “However as you get older, you realise how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the normal employment entails. I worked briefly at a banking firm doing a trial period. You do the commute a several occasions, and it was challenging – you grasp what you possess and lack.”

Talks with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder led to a job at Northampton. Jump ahead a decade and Dowson manages a squad progressively packed with global stars: key individuals started for the national side against the New Zealand two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a major effect off the bench in England’s flawless campaign while the fly-half, eventually, will take over the No 10 jersey.

Is the rise of this outstanding group due to the club's environment, or is it luck?

“This is a combination of the two,” states Dowson. “My thanks go to Chris Boyd, who gave them opportunities, and we had difficult periods. But the experience they had as a group is undoubtedly one of the reasons they are so tight and so talented.”

Dowson also mentions his predecessor, an earlier coach at Franklin’s Gardens, as a major influence. “It was my good fortune to be coached by really interesting personalities,” he says. “Mallinder had a big impact on my professional journey, my management style, how I interact with people.”

The team play entertaining rugby, which became obvious in the case of the French fly-half. The Gallic player was part of the opposing team beaten in the Champions Cup in April when Tommy Freeman scored a triple. Belleau admired the style sufficiently to reverse the trend of English talent heading across the Channel.

“A friend phoned me and said: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s looking for a side,’” Dowson says. “My response was: ‘We lack the funds for a French fly-half. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He wants new challenges, for the possibility to test himself,’ my contact said. That intrigued us. We had a conversation with Anthony and his language skills was outstanding, he was well-spoken, he had a witty personality.

“We asked: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He answered to be coached, to be challenged, to be facing unfamiliar situations and beyond the French league. I was like: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson says the 20-year-old Pollock offers a unique energy. Does he know an individual similar? “No,” Dowson responds. “All players are original but Henry is distinct and special in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be authentic.”

The player's sensational try against Leinster last season demonstrated his freakish skill, but various his expressive on-field antics have resulted in accusations of overconfidence.

“At times appears arrogant in his actions, but he’s not,” Dowson asserts. “Furthermore Henry’s not taking the piss the whole time. Game-wise he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I believe sometimes it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s bright and good fun to have around.”

Few managers would claim to have enjoying a tight friendship with a head coach, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with Sam Vesty.

“Together have an inquisitiveness around various topics,” he says. “We run a book club. He wants to see everything, wants to know all there is, aims to encounter new experiences, and I feel like I’m the similar.

“We talk about many topics beyond the sport: cinema, reading, thoughts, culture. When we faced Stade [Français] last year, Notre-Dame was undergoing restoration, so we had a brief exploration.”

One more match in France is approaching: The Saints' return with the domestic league will be brief because the Champions Cup takes over next week. Pau, in the foothills of the mountain range, are the initial challenge on matchday before the South African team travel to the following weekend.

“I’m not going to be overconfident to the extent to {