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This English town is hardly the most exotic spot in the world, but its squad delivers plenty of romance and adventure.

In a place renowned for shoe production, you might expect kicking to be the Northampton's main approach. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold opt to run with the ball.

Despite playing for a quintessentially English community, they display a panache typical of the best Gallic exponents of attacking rugby.

After Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have won the Premiership and progressed well in the continental tournament – beaten by Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and eliminated by Leinster in a semi-final before that.

They sit atop the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and travel to their West Country rivals on Saturday 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 participated in 262 elite games for multiple clubs in total, always planned to be a trainer.

“As a professional, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “However as you get older, you understand how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the everyday life is like. I worked briefly at a banking firm doing a trial period. You travel to work a multiple instances, and it was challenging – you grasp what you possess and lack.”

Conversations with club legends culminated in a role at the Saints. Move forward a decade and Dowson guides a team ever more packed with national team players: key individuals started for England versus the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a profound impact off the bench in the national team's flawless campaign while the fly-half, in time, will inherit the No 10 jersey.

Is the emergence of this outstanding cohort due to the club's environment, or is it luck?

“It's a mix of each,” says Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who thrust them into action, and we had difficult periods. But the practice they had as a group is certainly one of the factors they are so close-knit and so skilled.”

Dowson also namechecks Mallinder, a former boss at Franklin’s Gardens, as a major influence. “It was my good fortune to be mentored by exceptionally insightful people,” he adds. “He had a big impact on my rugby life, my coaching, how I manage individuals.”

Northampton demonstrate entertaining football, which proved literally true in the case of their new signing. The Gallic player was a member of the French club defeated in the European competition in last season when the winger registered a triple. The player admired the style enough to go against the flow of English talent joining Top 14 sides.

“A mate rang me and stated: ‘We've found a fly-half from France who’s in search of a team,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘We lack the money for a French fly-half. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the opportunity to test himself,’ my contact told me. That interested me. We had a conversation with Belleau and his communication was excellent, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.

“We questioned: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He said to be coached, to be challenged, to be in a new environment and beyond the French league. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he proved to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson states the emerging the flanker brings a specific energy. Has he coached an individual like him? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “Everyone’s original but Pollock is distinct and special in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be himself.”

The player's sensational touchdown against their opponents in the past campaign showcased his exceptional skill, but various his expressive during matches actions have brought claims of overconfidence.

“He sometimes appears overconfident in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson asserts. “Furthermore he's not joking around constantly. Game-wise he has input – he’s a smart player. I think on occasion it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s clever and good fun to have around.”

Hardly any coaches would describe themselves as enjoying a tight friendship with a head coach, but that is how Dowson characterizes his relationship with Vesty.

“Sam and I have an curiosity about different things,” he notes. “We run a literary circle. He desires to explore everything, aims to learn everything, aims to encounter different things, and I feel like I’m the same.

“We discuss many subjects beyond rugby: films, books, concepts, creativity. When we faced the Parisian club previously, the landmark was under renovation, so we had a quick look.”

A further fixture in the French nation is coming up: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the English competition will be brief because the European tournament takes over shortly. Their next opponents, in the shadow of the mountain range, are up first on matchday before the South African team visit the following weekend.

“I refuse to be overconfident enough to {