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This English town isn't exactly the most tropical location in the world, but its rugby union team delivers plenty of excitement and passion.

In a city renowned for shoe production, you might expect boot work to be the Northampton's primary strategy. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold choose to run with the ball.

Although playing for a typically British location, they display a flair associated with the finest French practitioners of expansive play.

After Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the domestic league and advanced far in the Champions Cup – beaten by a French side in the ultimate match and ousted by Leinster in a semi-final previously.

They currently top the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and visit their West Country rivals on matchday as the only unbeaten side, aiming for a initial success at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who participated in 262 elite matches for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester combined, consistently aimed to be a trainer.

“When I played, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “But as you age, you comprehend how much you love the rugby, and what the real world entails. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing work experience. You make the journey a several occasions, and it was challenging – you realise what you possess and lack.”

Conversations with former mentors led to a job at Northampton. Move forward a decade and Dowson leads a squad progressively packed with national team players: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles were selected for the national side versus the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a significant influence off the bench in the national team's successful series while Fin Smith, down the line, will take over the fly-half role.

Is the rise of this outstanding cohort because of the Saints’ culture, or is it chance?

“This is a bit of both,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to an ex-coach, who gave them opportunities, and we had difficult periods. But the exposure they had as a group is definitely one of the factors they are so close-knit and so gifted.”

Dowson also namechecks his predecessor, a former boss at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be mentored by exceptionally insightful personalities,” he notes. “Jim had a significant influence on my career, my coaching, how I deal with people.”

The team demonstrate appealing football, which became obvious in the example of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was a member of the French club defeated in the continental tournament in last season when Freeman scored a hat-trick. He liked what he saw enough to go against the flow of English talent moving to France.

“A friend phoned me and said: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s in search of a team,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘There's no budget for a imported playmaker. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He wants new challenges, for the chance to prove his worth,’ my contact told me. That intrigued us. We spoke to him and his English was excellent, he was articulate, he had a sense of humour.

“We asked: ‘What do you want from this?’ He said to be guided, to be challenged, to be facing unfamiliar situations and outside the domestic competition. I was like: ‘Come on in, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he has been. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the emerging Henry Pollock brings a particular enthusiasm. Has he encountered a player similar? “Never,” Dowson replies. “Each person is unique but Pollock is distinct and special in many ways. He’s unafraid to be authentic.”

Pollock’s sensational touchdown against their opponents in the past campaign demonstrated his unusual ability, but a few of his expressive on-field antics have led to accusations of overconfidence.

“He sometimes appears overconfident in his behavior, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson asserts. “Plus Henry’s being serious all the time. Game-wise he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I believe at times it’s shown that he’s merely a joker. But he’s bright and good fun to have around.”

Hardly any managers would admit to enjoying a tight friendship with a head coach, but that is how Dowson characterizes his connection with his co-coach.

“We both have an inquisitiveness around diverse subjects,” he notes. “We run a book club. He aims to discover various elements, seeks to understand all there is, desires to try varied activities, and I believe I’m the alike.

“We discuss numerous things beyond the sport: films, reading, ideas, creativity. When we faced Stade [Français] in the past season, the landmark was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”

A further fixture in Gall is looming: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the domestic league will be brief because the Champions Cup takes over shortly. Their next opponents, in the shadow of the Pyrenees, are the opening fixture on matchday before the Bulls travel to soon after.

“I’m not going to be overconfident sufficiently to {