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Northampton is hardly the most tropical destination globally, but its squad offers plenty of excitement and passion.

In a place renowned for shoe production, you might expect boot work to be the Northampton's primary strategy. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the side in the club's hues opt to retain possession.

Despite representing a typically British community, they exhibit a flair synonymous with the best French exponents of champagne rugby.

From the time Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have won the English top flight and progressed well in the continental tournament – defeated by a French side in the ultimate match and knocked out by Leinster in a penultimate round before that.

They currently top the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and travel to Bristol on matchday as the only unbeaten side, seeking a first win at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who featured in 262 top-flight matches for various teams altogether, always planned to be a manager.

“As a professional, I never seriously considered it,” he states. “But as you mature, you realise how much you love the sport, and what the everyday life is like. I worked briefly at a banking firm doing a trial period. You do the commute a several occasions, and it was challenging – you grasp what you do and don’t have.”

Conversations with former mentors led to a role at the Saints. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson manages a squad ever more packed with national team players: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for the national side against the New Zealand two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a significant influence off the bench in England’s perfect autumn while the fly-half, eventually, will assume the No 10 jersey.

Is the emergence of this outstanding cohort due to the Saints’ culture, or is it chance?

“It is a mix of each,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to an ex-coach, who gave them opportunities, and we had challenging moments. But the exposure they had as a unit is definitely one of the factors they are so close-knit and so gifted.”

Dowson also cites Mallinder, an earlier coach at Franklin’s Gardens, as a significant mentor. “I’ve been fortunate to be mentored by exceptionally insightful people,” he says. “Mallinder had a major effect on my professional journey, my management style, how I manage individuals.”

The team play appealing the game, which proved literally true in the example of the French fly-half. The Frenchman was involved with the Clermont XV overcome in the continental tournament in last season when Tommy Freeman notched a hat-trick. Belleau admired the style enough to buck the pattern of British stars joining Top 14 sides.

“A mate rang me and said: ‘We know of a Gallic number ten who’s seeking a side,’” Dowson explains. “My response was: ‘There's no funds for a French fly-half. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He wants new challenges, for the opportunity to challenge himself,’ my contact said. That caught my attention. We met with him and his communication was incredible, he was well-spoken, he had a witty personality.

“We inquired: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He said to be guided, to be pushed, to be facing unfamiliar situations and outside the French league. I was thinking: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he proved to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson comments the emerging Henry Pollock offers a particular enthusiasm. Does he know anyone similar? “No,” Dowson answers. “Each person is unique but he is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be who he is.”

The player's breathtaking touchdown against the Irish side in the past campaign showcased his unusual talent, but some of his expressive in-game actions have resulted in allegations of overconfidence.

“He sometimes comes across as arrogant in his conduct, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson asserts. “And he's not taking the piss constantly. Game-wise he has ideas – he’s no fool. I feel sometimes it’s depicted that he’s only a character. But he’s clever and great to have within the team.”

Hardly any directors of rugby would admit to sharing a close bond with a head coach, but that is how Dowson characterizes his connection with Vesty.

“We both have an curiosity around different things,” he notes. “We run a book club. He desires to explore everything, seeks to understand all there is, desires to try different things, and I feel like I’m the same.

“We talk about lots of topics beyond the sport: films, literature, ideas, creativity. When we played Stade [Français] in the past season, the cathedral was under renovation, so we had a little wander around.”

Another date in France is coming up: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the English competition will be short-lived because the continental event intervenes shortly. The French side, in the vicinity of the border region, are up first on the coming weekend before the South African team arrive at the following weekend.

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