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Northampton isn't exactly the most tropical spot on the planet, but its club delivers an abundance of thrills and drama.

In a town known for boot‑making, you might expect kicking to be the Northampton's modus operandi. Yet under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the team in green, black and gold choose to keep ball in hand.

Despite embodying a typically British town, they showcase a panache synonymous with the finest French masters of attacking rugby.

From the time Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the domestic league and gone deep in the Champions Cup – beaten by Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and knocked out by the Irish province in a last-four clash earlier.

They lead the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and visit Bristol on matchday as the sole undefeated team, chasing a maiden victory at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who featured in 262 top-flight games for multiple clubs combined, always planned to be a coach.

“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “But as you age, you comprehend how much you appreciate the game, and what the real world looks like. I worked briefly at a financial institution doing a trial period. You do the commute a multiple instances, and it was tough – you realise what you have going for you.”

Discussions with club legends resulted in a position at the Saints. Jump ahead a decade and Dowson leads a squad increasingly packed with internationals: key individuals lined up for the Red Rose against the All Blacks two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a profound impact from the replacements in England’s perfect autumn while Fin Smith, in time, will inherit the No 10 jersey.

Is the development of this outstanding generation because of the club's environment, or is it chance?

“This is a bit of both,” comments Dowson. “I’d credit an ex-coach, who thrust them into action, and we had difficult periods. But the practice they had as a unit is definitely one of the reasons they are so close-knit and so gifted.”

Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, a former boss at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be guided by exceptionally insightful individuals,” he notes. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my professional journey, my management style, how I deal with others.”

The team execute attractive the game, which proved literally true in the example of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was part of the opposing team defeated in the Champions Cup in the spring when Freeman scored a three tries. Belleau admired the style to such an extent to buck the pattern of English talent joining Top 14 sides.

“A mate called me and remarked: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s looking for a side,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘We lack the money for a overseas star. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for experience, for the chance to test himself,’ my mate told me. That interested me. We met with him and his communication was excellent, he was eloquent, he had a sense of humour.

“We questioned: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He answered to be guided, to be challenged, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the domestic competition. I was like: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he proved to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson says the young Pollock provides a particular enthusiasm. Does he know an individual comparable? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “Each person is individual but Henry is unusual and remarkable in numerous aspects. He’s not afraid to be who he is.”

His sensational touchdown against the Irish side in the past campaign demonstrated his freakish ability, but various his demonstrative during matches actions have resulted in allegations of overconfidence.

“At times seems overconfident in his actions, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore he's not joking around the whole time. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I think at times it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s clever and good fun to have around.”

Not many managers would describe themselves as having a bromance with a assistant, but that is how Dowson describes his partnership with his co-coach.

“Sam and I possess an interest around various topics,” he explains. “We run a reading group. He aims to discover various elements, wants to know each detail, wants to experience new experiences, and I think I’m the same.

“We converse on lots of things outside rugby: movies, literature, concepts, creativity. When we faced the Parisian club last year, Notre-Dame was undergoing restoration, so we had a brief exploration.”

A further date in France is looming: The Saints' reacquaintance with the domestic league will be brief because the Champions Cup intervenes soon. Their next opponents, in the shadow of the mountain range, are up first on matchday before the Pretoria-based club visit soon after.

“I’m not going to be arrogant enough to {