🔗 Share this article

This English town isn't exactly the most tropical destination globally, but its club delivers an abundance of romance and adventure.

In a place renowned for footwear manufacturing, you would think punting to be the Northampton's main approach. However under leader Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold opt to keep ball in hand.

Despite playing for a quintessentially English community, they exhibit a panache associated with the finest French practitioners of expansive play.

After Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the Premiership and gone deep in the Champions Cup – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and eliminated by Leinster in a penultimate round earlier.

They lead the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to Ashton Gate on Saturday as the just one without a loss, seeking a first win at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who featured in 262 elite matches for multiple clubs combined, consistently aimed to be a trainer.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “Yet as you mature, you understand how much you love the game, and what the normal employment looks like. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You travel to work a few times, and it was difficult – you see what you possess and lack.”

Discussions with former mentors led to a job at Northampton. Jump ahead several seasons and Dowson manages a roster ever more packed with global stars: prominent figures were selected for England against the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a significant influence from the replacements in the national team's successful series while the fly-half, eventually, will take over the No 10 jersey.

Is the rise of this exceptional group due to the Saints’ culture, or is it luck?

“This is a bit of both,” states Dowson. “I’d credit an ex-coach, who thrust them into action, and we had some tough days. But the experience they had as a collective is definitely one of the reasons they are so united and so skilled.”

Dowson also namechecks his predecessor, a former boss at the club's home, as a major influence. “I was lucky to be guided by highly engaging people,” he notes. “Mallinder had a big impact on my professional journey, my management style, how I manage others.”

Saints execute entertaining the game, which became obvious in the instance of the French fly-half. The import was a member of the opposing team defeated in the Champions Cup in last season when Tommy Freeman scored a three tries. Belleau was impressed to such an extent to reverse the trend of UK players joining Top 14 sides.

“An associate rang me and said: ‘There’s a fly-half from France who’s looking for a side,’” Dowson explains. “I said: ‘We lack the money for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He desires new challenges, for the chance to test himself,’ my mate said. That intrigued us. We spoke to Belleau and his language skills was outstanding, he was eloquent, he had a witty personality.

“We asked: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He answered to be coached, to be challenged, to be outside his comfort zone and away from the French league. I was like: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he turned out to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the emerging the flanker provides a specific enthusiasm. Has he encountered anyone comparable? “No,” Dowson replies. “Each person is original but Pollock is distinct and special in many ways. He’s unafraid to be who he is.”

His breathtaking touchdown against their opponents last season illustrated his freakish ability, but a few of his expressive during matches behavior have resulted in accusations of cockiness.

“On occasion comes across as arrogant in his behavior, but he’s far from it,” Dowson clarifies. “And Pollock is being serious the whole time. Game-wise he has contributions – he’s a smart player. I feel on occasion it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s bright and a positive influence within the team.”

Hardly any managers would claim to have sharing a close bond with a colleague, but that is how Dowson characterizes his partnership with his co-coach.

“Sam and I possess an curiosity around various topics,” he says. “We run a reading group. He wants to see all aspects, wants to know everything, desires to try new experiences, and I feel like I’m the similar.

“We talk about many things away from the sport: movies, literature, concepts, culture. When we faced our French rivals in the past season, the cathedral was under renovation, so we had a little wander around.”

Another date in Gall is looming: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the English competition will be brief because the Champions Cup intervenes shortly. The French side, in the vicinity of the mountain range, are the initial challenge on matchday before the South African team visit the following weekend.

“I’m not going to be overconfident to the extent to {