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This English town may not be the most exotic spot on the planet, but its rugby union team offers a great deal of thrills and drama.

In a place famous for footwear manufacturing, you might expect punting to be the Saints’ primary strategy. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in the club's hues choose to retain possession.

Although playing for a distinctly UK town, they exhibit a style typical of the finest French exponents of attacking rugby.

From the time Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have secured the Premiership and advanced far in the Champions Cup – defeated by Bordeaux-Bègles in the ultimate match and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a last-four clash previously.

They sit atop the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to Ashton Gate on matchday as the just one without a loss, chasing a initial success at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who played 262 premier matches for various teams in total, had long intended to be a trainer.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “However as you age, you realise how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the real world is like. I worked briefly at a financial institution doing a trial period. You make the journey a several occasions, and it was difficult – you grasp what you have going for you.”

Discussions with former mentors culminated in a role at Northampton. Jump ahead several seasons and Dowson manages a team progressively packed with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for the Red Rose versus the All Blacks two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a major effect as a substitute in England’s perfect autumn while Fin Smith, eventually, will assume the fly-half role.

Is the development of this exceptional cohort due to the team's ethos, or is it luck?

“It is a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “I’d credit an ex-coach, who thrust them into action, and we had some tough days. But the practice they had as a group is certainly one of the causes they are so close-knit and so gifted.”

Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at their stadium, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be mentored by exceptionally insightful people,” he notes. “He had a significant influence on my career, my management style, how I interact with individuals.”

The team play appealing rugby, which was clearly evident in the example of the French fly-half. The import was part of the Clermont XV overcome in the Champions Cup in last season when the winger notched a three tries. He liked what he saw 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 in search of a club,’” Dowson says. “I replied: ‘There's no funds for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He wants new challenges, for the opportunity to challenge himself,’ my mate informed me. That caught my attention. We had a conversation with Anthony and his English was excellent, he was articulate, he had a funny side.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be guided, to be pushed, to be in a new environment and away from the French league. I was saying: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he proved to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson comments the emerging Pollock brings a unique energy. Has he coached a player like him? “Never,” Dowson answers. “Each person is original but Henry is distinct and special in many ways. He’s fearless to be himself.”

The player's sensational score against their opponents previously demonstrated his exceptional talent, but a few of his demonstrative in-game actions have brought claims of overconfidence.

“On occasion seems overconfident in his behavior, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “Plus he's not joking around constantly. Game-wise he has input – he’s a smart player. I believe on occasion it’s depicted that he’s just this idiot. But he’s bright and a positive influence in the squad.”

Hardly any directors of rugby would describe themselves as having a bromance with a assistant, but that is how Dowson characterizes his relationship with his co-coach.

“We both share an interest regarding diverse subjects,” he notes. “We have a book club. He aims to discover all aspects, seeks to understand everything, wants to experience varied activities, and I believe I’m the similar.

“We discuss numerous things away from rugby: movies, books, ideas, art. When we faced our French rivals previously, Notre-Dame was under renovation, so we had a brief exploration.”

Another date in the French nation is coming up: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the English competition will be short-lived because the continental event kicks in next week. The French side, in the shadow of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on the coming weekend before the Bulls visit a week later.

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