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This English town may not be the most tropical location in the world, but its club delivers plenty of thrills and drama.

In a city known for shoe production, you would think punting to be the Saints’ modus operandi. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors opt to run with the ball.

Despite playing for a typically British town, they display a panache typical of the best French practitioners of champagne rugby.

After Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have secured the Premiership and progressed well in the Champions Cup – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in the ultimate match and ousted by the Irish province in a semi-final earlier.

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

It would be natural to think Dowson, who featured in 262 premier games for various teams altogether, always planned to be a trainer.

“During my career, I never seriously considered it,” he states. “But as you age, you realise how much you appreciate the sport, and what the everyday life entails. I had a stint at a financial institution doing work experience. You make the journey a few times, and it was tough – you see what you have going for you.”

Talks with former mentors culminated in a job at the Saints. Move forward several seasons and Dowson manages a team progressively filled with national team players: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for England against the New Zealand two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a profound impact as a substitute in the national team's successful series while the number ten, eventually, will assume the pivotal position.

Is the development of this outstanding cohort attributable to the club's environment, or is it fortune?

“It's a combination of the two,” states Dowson. “My thanks go to an ex-coach, who thrust them into action, and we had challenging moments. But the experience they had as a collective is certainly one of the reasons they are so close-knit and so talented.”

Dowson also cites his predecessor, a former boss at their stadium, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be coached by really interesting individuals,” he notes. “He had a big impact on my rugby life, my training methods, how I interact with people.”

Saints demonstrate appealing football, which was clearly evident in the instance of the French fly-half. The Frenchman was involved with the French club overcome in the continental tournament in April when the winger notched a hat-trick. Belleau admired the style to such an extent to go against the flow of English talent heading across the Channel.

“An associate rang me and remarked: ‘We know of a fly-half from France who’s looking for a side,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘There's no budget for a French fly-half. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the possibility to prove his worth,’ my friend told me. That interested me. We had a conversation with him and his communication was outstanding, he was well-spoken, he had a witty personality.

“We inquired: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He said to be coached, to be challenged, to be facing unfamiliar situations and outside the French league. I was like: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he proved to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson states the young Henry Pollock brings a unique enthusiasm. Has he encountered an individual comparable? “Never,” Dowson answers. “Everyone’s original but Henry is unusual and remarkable in numerous aspects. He’s unafraid to be authentic.”

His sensational try against the Irish side in the past campaign illustrated his freakish skill, but a few of his demonstrative in-game actions have resulted in claims of overconfidence.

“He sometimes seems cocky in his conduct, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson asserts. “Plus Henry’s not joking around constantly. In terms of strategy he has input – he’s not a clown. I think on occasion it’s portrayed that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and great to have to have around.”

Hardly any directors of rugby would claim to have sharing a close bond with a colleague, but that is how Dowson characterizes his partnership with Vesty.

“We both have an curiosity about various topics,” he explains. “We maintain a book club. He desires to explore everything, aims to learn all there is, desires to try different things, and I feel like I’m the similar.

“We discuss numerous topics outside rugby: films, literature, ideas, art. When we played our French rivals last year, Notre-Dame was undergoing restoration, so we had a brief exploration.”

Another date in the French nation is looming: Northampton’s comeback with the domestic league will be temporary because the European tournament intervenes next week. The French side, in the shadow of the mountain range, are the initial challenge on Sunday week before the South African team arrive at a week later.

“I refuse to be presumptuous to the extent to {