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Northampton is hardly the most exotic destination in the world, but its club offers a great deal of excitement and passion.

In a place renowned for boot‑making, you could anticipate punting to be the Saints’ main approach. But under leader Phil Dowson, the side in the club's hues choose to retain possession.

Despite playing for a typically British location, they exhibit a style associated with the finest Gallic practitioners of champagne rugby.

Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have won the English top flight and progressed well in the Champions Cup – defeated by their Gallic opponents in last season’s final and eliminated by Leinster in a semi-final earlier.

They lead the Prem table after four wins and a draw and travel to their West Country rivals on Saturday as the only unbeaten side, aiming for a maiden victory at Bristol's home 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 trainer.

“As a professional, I never seriously considered it,” he remarks. “However as you age, you understand how much you appreciate the game, and what the everyday life is like. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing an internship. You make the journey a multiple instances, and it was challenging – you grasp what you possess and lack.”

Discussions with former mentors culminated in a job at Northampton. Jump ahead eight years and Dowson leads a squad progressively crammed with global stars: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for the Red Rose facing the All Blacks two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a significant influence off the bench in the national team's flawless campaign while Fin Smith, in time, will take over the fly-half role.

Is the rise of this outstanding generation because of the team's ethos, or is it luck?

“It's a bit of both,” says Dowson. “My thanks go to the former director of rugby, who thrust them into action, and we had some tough days. But the exposure they had as a collective is certainly one of the factors they are so united and so gifted.”

Dowson also namechecks Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at their stadium, as a significant mentor. “It was my good fortune to be mentored by really interesting individuals,” he adds. “Mallinder had a major effect on my rugby life, my management style, how I manage others.”

Northampton demonstrate attractive the game, which became obvious in the instance of the French fly-half. The import was involved with the Clermont XV beaten in the continental tournament in the spring when the winger notched a triple. The player was impressed enough to reverse the trend of English talent joining Top 14 sides.

“An associate rang me and remarked: ‘We've found a French 10 who’s in search of a team,’” Dowson explains. “I said: ‘We don’t have budget for a overseas star. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He wants new challenges, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my mate told me. That caught my attention. We spoke to Anthony and his English was excellent, he was well-spoken, he had a witty personality.

“We questioned: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He answered to be coached, to be driven, to be in a new environment and away from the Top 14. I was saying: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he has been. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson comments the young Pollock provides a specific vitality. Does he know anyone similar? “Never,” Dowson answers. “Everyone’s original but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in numerous aspects. He’s fearless to be himself.”

The player's breathtaking try against the Irish side last season demonstrated his exceptional ability, but various his expressive on-field behavior have resulted in claims of arrogance.

“At times seems overconfident in his actions, but he’s far from it,” Dowson clarifies. “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 depicted that he’s merely a joker. But he’s intelligent and a positive influence to have around.”

Few coaches would claim to have sharing a close bond with a assistant, but that is how Dowson characterizes his relationship with Vesty.

“We both share an curiosity about different things,” he notes. “We have a book club. He desires to explore all aspects, seeks to understand everything, desires to try new experiences, and I think I’m the same.

“We converse on many things away from the sport: films, books, ideas, art. When we played our French rivals in the past season, the landmark was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

Another fixture in France is looming: The Saints' return with the English competition will be short-lived because the Champions Cup kicks in shortly. Their next opponents, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are up first on the coming weekend before the Bulls visit a week later.

“I won't be arrogant to the extent to {