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This English town isn't exactly the most exotic spot on the planet, but its squad offers plenty of excitement and passion.

In a town known for footwear manufacturing, you could anticipate punting to be the Northampton's primary strategy. However under leader Phil Dowson, the team in the club's hues opt to run with the ball.

Although embodying a quintessentially English town, they display a flair associated with the best Gallic practitioners of attacking rugby.

Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the English top flight and advanced far in the Champions Cup – defeated by a French side in the ultimate match and eliminated by Dublin-based club in a last-four clash before that.

They lead the league standings after multiple successes and a single stalemate and travel to Ashton Gate on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, chasing a first win at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who played 262 premier games for multiple clubs altogether, consistently aimed to be a manager.

“When I played, I never seriously considered it,” he says. “Yet as you mature, you realise how much you love the sport, and what the real world looks like. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing an internship. You do the commute a few times, and it was challenging – you see what you possess and lack.”

Discussions with former mentors resulted in a job at the Saints. Jump ahead several seasons and Dowson leads a team increasingly filled with national team players: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles lined up for the national side against the New Zealand two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a significant influence off the bench in the national team's successful series while the number ten, down the line, will take over the pivotal position.

Is the development of this remarkable generation due to the club's environment, or is it luck?

“It's a bit of both,” states Dowson. “I’d credit Chris Boyd, who thrust them into action, and we had challenging moments. But the exposure they had as a collective is undoubtedly one of the reasons they are so close-knit and so skilled.”

Dowson also mentions Jim Mallinder, a former boss at the club's home, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be guided by highly engaging personalities,” he says. “Mallinder had a big impact on my professional journey, my coaching, how I deal with individuals.”

The team demonstrate entertaining rugby, which proved literally true in the case of the French fly-half. The Gallic player was involved with the opposing team beaten in the continental tournament in last season when the winger registered a hat-trick. Belleau was impressed enough to buck the pattern of British stars moving to France.

“A mate rang me and remarked: ‘We've found a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson explains. “I said: ‘We don’t have budget for a imported playmaker. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for a fresh start, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my contact said. That interested me. We had a conversation with Anthony and his language skills was excellent, he was eloquent, he had a funny side.

“We questioned: ‘What do you want from this?’ He said to be guided, to be challenged, to be in a new environment and away from the French league. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson says the 20-year-old the flanker offers a specific vitality. Has he encountered anyone comparable? “No,” Dowson responds. “Each person is original but Henry is distinct and special in multiple respects. He’s fearless to be who he is.”

Pollock’s sensational try against the Irish side last season demonstrated his freakish skill, but various his demonstrative during matches behavior have resulted in accusations of overconfidence.

“On occasion comes across as arrogant in his behavior, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson asserts. “Plus he's being serious constantly. Tactically he has contributions – he’s not a clown. I believe sometimes it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s bright and a positive influence to have around.”

Few managers would describe themselves as having a bromance with a colleague, but that is how Dowson characterizes his relationship with Sam Vesty.

“Together have an interest about diverse subjects,” he notes. “We maintain a literary circle. He desires to explore all aspects, wants to know everything, desires to try varied activities, and I feel like I’m the same.

“We discuss numerous topics outside the sport: cinema, books, concepts, culture. When we faced the Parisian club in the past season, Notre-Dame was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”

A further fixture in the French nation is coming up: Northampton’s return with the domestic league will be brief because the European tournament kicks in soon. Pau, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, are up first on matchday before the Bulls travel to soon after.

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