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Northampton isn't exactly the most glamorous destination globally, but its club delivers plenty of romance and adventure.

In a place renowned for footwear manufacturing, you might expect kicking to be the Northampton's primary strategy. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the side in green, black and gold opt to retain possession.

Despite representing a distinctly UK town, they showcase a flair typical of the best Gallic practitioners of attacking rugby.

Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have won the English top flight and progressed well in the European competition – beaten by a French side in the ultimate match and eliminated by the Irish province in a semi-final before that.

They sit atop the competition ladder after four wins and a draw and head to Bristol on the weekend as the just one without a loss, chasing a initial success at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 elite matches for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester combined, always planned to be a trainer.

“As a professional, I never seriously considered it,” he states. “Yet as you mature, you comprehend how much you enjoy the game, and what the normal employment is like. I worked briefly at a financial institution doing work experience. You do the commute a few times, and it was difficult – you see what you do and don’t have.”

Conversations with club legends resulted in a job at Northampton. Jump ahead eight years and Dowson guides a team ever more packed with national team players: key individuals were selected for the national side against the New Zealand two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a profound impact from the replacements in the national team's flawless campaign while the fly-half, down the line, will inherit the fly-half role.

Is the rise of this outstanding generation attributable to the Saints’ culture, or is it fortune?

“This is a mix of each,” states Dowson. “I’d credit an ex-coach, who gave them opportunities, and we had challenging moments. But the exposure they had as a collective is certainly one of the causes they are so close-knit and so gifted.”

Dowson also mentions Jim Mallinder, a former boss at the club's home, as a key figure. “It was my good fortune to be mentored by highly engaging people,” he notes. “Jim had a significant influence on my rugby life, my coaching, how I deal with people.”

Saints demonstrate entertaining football, which was clearly evident in the example of Anthony Belleau. The Frenchman was part of the French club beaten in the continental tournament in last season when Tommy Freeman scored a three tries. The player admired the style to such an extent to go against the flow of UK players joining Top 14 sides.

“A friend called me and remarked: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s seeking a side,’” Dowson says. “I replied: ‘There's no budget for a overseas star. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the chance to test himself,’ my friend informed me. That caught my attention. We spoke to him and his language skills was incredible, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.

“We questioned: ‘What do you want from this?’ He said to be coached, to be driven, to be outside his comfort zone and away from the Top 14. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he turned out to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson comments the emerging the flanker offers a specific energy. Does he know a player comparable? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “All players are unique but he is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be himself.”

The player's sensational try against their opponents last season illustrated his unusual ability, but a few of his expressive in-game antics have brought allegations of overconfidence.

“On occasion comes across as arrogant in his behavior, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “Plus he's not joking around constantly. Tactically he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I believe sometimes it’s shown that he’s merely a joker. But he’s clever and good fun to have around.”

Not many coaches would claim to have enjoying a tight friendship with a head coach, but that is how Dowson describes his relationship with Vesty.

“Together have an curiosity about various topics,” he says. “We maintain a literary circle. He desires to explore all aspects, aims to learn each detail, desires to try varied activities, and I feel like I’m the same.

“We converse on lots of topics outside the sport: movies, books, concepts, art. When we played Stade [Français] previously, the landmark was under renovation, so we had a quick look.”

One more fixture in the French nation is approaching: Northampton’s comeback with the English competition will be brief because the Champions Cup intervenes shortly. Their next opponents, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, are the opening fixture on Sunday week before the Bulls travel to soon after.

“I refuse to be presumptuous enough to {