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This English town is hardly the most glamorous spot in the world, but its rugby union team provides plenty of excitement and passion.

In a town known for footwear manufacturing, you would think punting to be the Northampton's main approach. However under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in green, black and gold choose to keep ball in hand.

Although embodying a distinctly UK location, they showcase a style typical of the finest French practitioners of expansive play.

From the time Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have secured the Premiership and advanced far in the European competition – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and knocked out by Leinster in a penultimate round previously.

They lead the league standings after four wins and a draw and head to Ashton Gate on Saturday as the only unbeaten side, seeking a maiden victory at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who featured in 262 top-flight fixtures for various teams combined, always planned to be a coach.

“During my career, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “Yet as you age, you comprehend how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the real world looks like. I worked briefly at a banking firm doing work experience. You do the commute a multiple instances, and it was difficult – you see what you do and don’t have.”

Conversations with club legends resulted in a position at Northampton. Fast-forward eight years and Dowson leads a roster progressively filled with national team players: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles were selected for England facing the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a profound impact as a substitute in the national team's flawless campaign while the number ten, in time, will take over the pivotal position.

Is the development of this exceptional generation due to the club's environment, or is it luck?

“It is a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “I would acknowledge the former director of rugby, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the practice they had as a group is certainly one of the causes they are so united and so skilled.”

Dowson also mentions Jim Mallinder, a former boss at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “It was my good fortune to be coached by really interesting people,” he adds. “He had a big impact on my rugby life, my coaching, how I interact with others.”

Saints demonstrate attractive rugby, which was clearly evident in the case of the French fly-half. The import was involved with the French club beaten in the Champions Cup in the spring when the winger notched a triple. The player was impressed to such an extent to buck the pattern of English talent heading across the Channel.

“An associate rang me and said: ‘We've found a fly-half from France who’s in search of a club,’” Dowson explains. “I said: ‘There's no funds for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the opportunity to test himself,’ my contact informed me. That intrigued us. We met with Anthony and his communication was outstanding, he was articulate, he had a sense of humour.

“We questioned: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He responded to be coached, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and outside the domestic competition. I was like: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he proved to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson states the 20-year-old the flanker brings a specific energy. Has he encountered anyone like him? “No,” Dowson answers. “Everyone’s original but Pollock is different and unique in many ways. He’s fearless to be himself.”

Pollock’s sensational score against Leinster previously demonstrated his freakish ability, but various his animated on-field behavior have resulted in claims of arrogance.

“He sometimes comes across as arrogant in his behavior, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson clarifies. “And Pollock is being serious the whole time. In terms of strategy he has contributions – he’s no fool. I think on occasion it’s depicted that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and a positive influence to have around.”

Not many directors of rugby would admit to enjoying a tight friendship with a colleague, but that is how Dowson describes his partnership with Sam Vesty.

“Together have an inquisitiveness regarding various topics,” he says. “We maintain a book club. He wants to see everything, seeks to understand everything, desires to try new experiences, and I believe I’m the similar.

“We discuss lots of subjects away from rugby: films, books, ideas, art. When we played the Parisian club previously, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

One more date in the French nation is looming: The Saints' return with the Prem will be short-lived because the Champions Cup takes over shortly. Their next opponents, in the foothills of the border region, are the initial challenge on Sunday week before the Bulls travel to a week later.

“I won't be arrogant to the extent to {