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This English town may not be the most glamorous spot on the planet, but its squad delivers plenty of romance and adventure.

In a city famous for shoe production, you could anticipate kicking to be the Northampton's primary strategy. However under head coach Phil Dowson, the side in green, black and gold prefer to keep ball in hand.

Although embodying a quintessentially English town, they display a style synonymous with the finest Gallic exponents of expansive play.

Since Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have won the English top flight and progressed well in the European competition – defeated by their Gallic opponents in last season’s final and eliminated by Leinster in a penultimate round previously.

They currently top the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to their West Country rivals on matchday as the just one without a loss, chasing a maiden victory at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 elite fixtures for multiple clubs combined, always planned to be a manager.

“As a professional, I never seriously considered it,” he states. “But as you age, you realise how much you appreciate the sport, and what the real world is like. I spent some time at a banking firm doing work experience. You make the journey a multiple instances, and it was challenging – you see what you do and don’t have.”

Conversations with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder led to a job at Northampton. Jump ahead several seasons and Dowson leads a team ever more crammed with global stars: key individuals lined up for England versus the New Zealand two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a significant influence off the bench in England’s flawless campaign while the fly-half, eventually, will take over the pivotal position.

Is the rise of this exceptional group because of the Saints’ culture, or is it chance?

“It's a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “I would acknowledge the former director of rugby, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the experience they had as a collective is definitely one of the factors they are so united and so gifted.”

Dowson also mentions his predecessor, a former boss at the club's home, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be coached by really interesting people,” he says. “He had a big impact on my professional journey, my training methods, how I manage others.”

Northampton demonstrate attractive football, which was clearly evident in the example of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was involved with the French club beaten in the continental tournament in last season when the winger scored a hat-trick. The player liked what he saw to such an extent to go against the flow of British stars heading across the Channel.

“A mate phoned me and remarked: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson says. “My response was: ‘There's no budget for a imported playmaker. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He wants new challenges, for the chance to test himself,’ my mate said. That intrigued us. We had a conversation with Belleau and his communication was outstanding, he was eloquent, he had a witty personality.

“We asked: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He answered to be trained, to be pushed, to be in a new environment and outside the domestic competition. I was saying: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a great person.’ And he has been. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the young the flanker provides a unique vitality. Has he encountered a player comparable? “Never,” Dowson replies. “All players are individual but he is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”

The player's breathtaking score against their opponents in the past campaign illustrated his unusual talent, but various his expressive during matches actions have brought claims of arrogance.

“At times seems overconfident in his conduct, but he’s far from it,” Dowson says. “Plus he's not taking the piss constantly. Game-wise he has contributions – he’s not a clown. I feel on occasion it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s intelligent and a positive influence within the team.”

Not many coaches would admit to having a bromance with a head coach, but that is how Dowson characterizes his connection with Sam Vesty.

“Together have an interest regarding different things,” he says. “We maintain a reading group. He wants to see all aspects, aims to learn everything, desires to try different things, and I think I’m the same.

“We talk about numerous subjects outside rugby: movies, reading, ideas, creativity. When we faced our French rivals in the past season, the landmark was under renovation, so we had a little wander around.”

Another date in the French nation is looming: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the domestic league will be short-lived because the continental event takes over soon. Pau, in the shadow of the mountain range, are the opening fixture on matchday before the Bulls visit soon after.

“I refuse to be presumptuous enough to {