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This English town isn't exactly the most exotic spot globally, but its club delivers a great deal of thrills and drama.

In a place renowned for boot‑making, you would think punting to be the Saints’ modus operandi. Yet under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in the club's hues choose to keep ball in hand.

Although representing a distinctly UK location, they exhibit a flair typical of the best French masters of champagne rugby.

From the time Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have won the Premiership and gone deep in the Champions Cup – beaten by Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by Leinster in a penultimate round before that.

They currently top the competition ladder after four wins and a draw and head to Bristol on matchday as the just one without a loss, seeking a initial success at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who featured in 262 elite matches for various teams in total, consistently aimed to be a coach.

“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “Yet as you mature, you realise how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the everyday life entails. I spent some time at a financial institution doing work experience. You travel to work a several occasions, and it was tough – you realise what you possess and lack.”

Conversations with former mentors culminated in a role at the Saints. Jump ahead a decade and Dowson leads a team ever more packed with national team players: key individuals started for England versus the All Blacks two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a major effect as a substitute in England’s perfect autumn while Fin Smith, down the line, will take over the pivotal position.

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

“It is a bit of both,” comments Dowson. “I’d credit an ex-coach, who basically just threw them in, and we had difficult periods. But the practice they had as a collective is certainly one of the causes they are so tight and so skilled.”

Dowson also namechecks Mallinder, an earlier coach at Franklin’s Gardens, as a major influence. “I’ve been fortunate to be coached by really interesting personalities,” he notes. “Jim had a major effect on my rugby life, my coaching, how I interact with individuals.”

The team play appealing the game, which proved literally true in the case of their new signing. The import was a member of the opposing team defeated in the European competition in last season when the winger scored a hat-trick. The player was impressed enough to reverse the trend of English talent moving to France.

“An associate rang me and said: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s looking for a team,’” Dowson says. “My response was: ‘There's no funds for a French fly-half. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He wants a fresh start, for the possibility to test himself,’ my mate told me. That intrigued us. We spoke to him and his communication was outstanding, he was eloquent, he had a witty personality.

“We questioned: ‘What do you want from this?’ He answered to be guided, to be pushed, to be in a new environment and outside the Top 14. I was saying: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a great person.’ And he has been. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson says the young Henry Pollock brings a unique energy. Does he know an individual like him? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “All players are original but Pollock is different and unique in many ways. He’s fearless to be himself.”

The player's sensational score against their opponents previously showcased his freakish skill, but various his expressive in-game behavior have brought allegations of arrogance.

“On occasion comes across as cocky in his actions, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson asserts. “And Henry’s not joking around constantly. Tactically he has contributions – he’s a smart player. I believe at times it’s depicted that he’s merely a joker. But he’s intelligent and a positive influence within the team.”

Not many managers would claim to have having a bromance with a colleague, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with Vesty.

“Together share an curiosity around different things,” he says. “We run a book club. He aims to discover various elements, aims to learn each detail, aims to encounter new experiences, and I believe I’m the same.

“We talk about numerous things beyond rugby: films, books, ideas, art. When we met the Parisian club previously, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a quick look.”

One more match in France is approaching: The Saints' reacquaintance with the English competition will be temporary because the Champions Cup kicks in shortly. Pau, in the shadow of the border region, are up first on Sunday week before the South African team travel to the following weekend.

“I won't be presumptuous enough to {