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Northampton may not be the most tropical destination in the world, but its squad provides plenty of excitement and passion.

In a city renowned for boot‑making, you could anticipate kicking to be the Northampton's main approach. Yet under leader Phil Dowson, the side in their distinctive colors choose to retain possession.

Although playing for a distinctly UK community, they showcase a style synonymous with the best Gallic exponents of attacking rugby.

Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have secured the Premiership and progressed well in the Champions Cup – defeated by their Gallic opponents in last season’s final and knocked out by the Irish province in a semi-final before that.

They currently top the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and travel to their West Country rivals on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, chasing a first win at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who featured in 262 premier matches for multiple clubs in total, had long intended to be a coach.

“When I played, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “Yet as you mature, you realise how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the normal employment looks like. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You make the journey a multiple instances, and it was challenging – you see what you possess and lack.”

Conversations with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder led to a job at the Saints. Fast-forward a decade and Dowson leads a roster increasingly packed with national team players: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles were selected for the Red Rose versus the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a profound impact as a substitute in the national team's successful series while the fly-half, in time, will assume the pivotal position.

Is the development of this exceptional cohort due to the team's ethos, or is it luck?

“It's a bit of both,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to the former director of rugby, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the experience they had as a unit is definitely one of the causes they are so close-knit and so talented.”

Dowson also cites Mallinder, another predecessor at Franklin’s Gardens, as a major influence. “I was lucky to be coached by really interesting personalities,” he notes. “He had a significant influence on my professional journey, my coaching, how I interact with individuals.”

The team demonstrate attractive rugby, which was clearly evident in the example of the French fly-half. The import was a member of the Clermont XV overcome in the European competition in April when the winger scored a three tries. Belleau admired the style enough to go against the flow of English talent joining Top 14 sides.

“A mate called me and said: ‘We know of a fly-half from France who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson explains. “My response was: ‘We don’t have money for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He desires experience, for the possibility to prove his worth,’ my mate told me. That intrigued us. We spoke to him and his language skills was outstanding, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.

“We asked: ‘What do you want from this?’ He answered to be guided, to be pushed, to be in a new environment and away from the French league. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson states the emerging Pollock offers a specific energy. Has he coached anyone similar? “No,” Dowson responds. “All players are unique but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in many ways. He’s not afraid to be himself.”

The player's breathtaking touchdown against their opponents previously showcased his unusual talent, but a few of his demonstrative in-game antics have brought allegations of overconfidence.

“At times seems cocky in his actions, but he’s not,” Dowson says. “Furthermore Pollock is not taking the piss all the time. In terms of strategy he has contributions – he’s no fool. I think sometimes it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s intelligent and good fun within the team.”

Few coaches would admit to enjoying a tight friendship with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with Sam Vesty.

“Together share an inquisitiveness about different things,” he explains. “We have a book club. He aims to discover everything, wants to know each detail, aims to encounter different things, and I think I’m the similar.

“We talk about numerous subjects beyond rugby: movies, reading, concepts, creativity. When we met the Parisian club in the past season, Notre-Dame was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”

Another match in the French nation is looming: The Saints' reacquaintance with the English competition will be short-lived because the European tournament takes over shortly. The French side, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on matchday before the Pretoria-based club arrive at a week later.

“I refuse to be overconfident enough to {