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This English town is hardly the most tropical location in the world, but its rugby union team delivers an abundance of excitement and passion.

In a town renowned for footwear manufacturing, you could anticipate boot work to be the Saints’ primary strategy. Yet under leader Phil Dowson, the team in the club's hues choose to run with the ball.

Although playing for a quintessentially English location, they display a style synonymous with the finest French exponents of champagne rugby.

Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the Premiership and progressed well in the European competition – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and ousted by Dublin-based club in a last-four clash before that.

They sit atop the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and visit Bristol on matchday as the only unbeaten side, seeking a first win at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who played 262 premier games for various teams altogether, had long intended to be a trainer.

“When I played, I never seriously considered it,” he says. “However as you age, you realise how much you love the game, and what the everyday life entails. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing an internship. You make the journey a several occasions, and it was tough – you grasp what you do and don’t have.”

Talks with club legends led to a role at the Saints. Fast-forward a decade and Dowson guides a team increasingly crammed with global stars: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles lined up for England against the New Zealand two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a profound impact from the replacements in the national team's perfect autumn while the number ten, down the line, will inherit the pivotal position.

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

“This is a mix of each,” comments Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who thrust them into action, and we had difficult periods. But the experience they had as a group is definitely one of the causes they are so united and so gifted.”

Dowson also mentions Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at their stadium, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be coached by highly engaging people,” he notes. “Mallinder had a big impact on my career, my coaching, how I deal with others.”

Saints execute entertaining football, which proved literally true in the example of their new signing. The import was involved with the French club defeated in the continental tournament in last season when Tommy Freeman scored a three tries. He was impressed to such an extent to go against the flow of English talent joining Top 14 sides.

“A mate phoned me and stated: ‘There’s a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a team,’” Dowson explains. “My response was: ‘There's no funds for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for experience, for the chance to prove his worth,’ my mate said. That interested me. We spoke to Anthony and his communication was excellent, he was well-spoken, he had a witty personality.

“We asked: ‘What do you want from this?’ He answered to be guided, to be driven, to be in a new environment and beyond the Top 14. I was like: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he has been. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson says the 20-year-old Pollock provides a unique enthusiasm. Has he encountered anyone like him? “Never,” Dowson answers. “Each person is unique but Henry is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be himself.”

The player's sensational try against Leinster previously illustrated his freakish ability, but a few of his expressive in-game antics have brought accusations of cockiness.

“On occasion appears arrogant in his actions, but he’s not,” Dowson says. “Furthermore he's being serious constantly. In terms of strategy he has contributions – he’s no fool. I think on occasion it’s portrayed that he’s just this idiot. But he’s bright and good fun in the squad.”

Hardly any directors of rugby would admit to having a bromance with a colleague, but that is how Dowson characterizes his relationship with Sam Vesty.

“Sam and I possess an interest around diverse subjects,” he explains. “We run a literary circle. He aims to discover all aspects, wants to know all there is, desires to try varied activities, and I feel like I’m the alike.

“We talk about numerous subjects away from the sport: films, literature, thoughts, art. When we met our French rivals last year, the landmark was undergoing restoration, so we had a little wander around.”

One more fixture in France is approaching: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the Prem will be brief because the European tournament kicks in soon. The French side, in the foothills of the border region, are the opening fixture on Sunday week before the South African team arrive at soon after.

“I’m not going to be overconfident sufficiently to {