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This English town is hardly the most tropical spot globally, but its club provides plenty of romance and adventure.

In a city renowned for footwear manufacturing, you would think punting to be the Northampton's modus operandi. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the team in the club's hues opt to run with the ball.

Although embodying a quintessentially English town, they exhibit a flair synonymous with the finest French exponents of champagne rugby.

Since Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have won the Premiership and gone deep in the continental tournament – beaten by a French side in the previous campaign's decider and eliminated by the Irish province in a penultimate round previously.

They sit atop the league standings after four wins and a draw and head to their West Country rivals on matchday as the only unbeaten side, chasing a initial success at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who participated in 262 premier fixtures for multiple clubs combined, consistently aimed to be a manager.

“During my career, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “However as you mature, you understand how much you enjoy the game, and what the normal employment entails. I worked briefly at a banking firm doing work experience. You do the commute a few times, and it was tough – you grasp what you do and don’t have.”

Talks with former mentors led to a role at the Saints. Move forward eight years and Dowson manages a team increasingly crammed with national team players: key individuals started for the national side versus the New Zealand two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a profound impact off the bench in England’s successful series while Fin Smith, down the line, will assume the No 10 jersey.

Is the development of this remarkable cohort because of the team's ethos, or is it chance?

“It's a mix of each,” states 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 reasons they are so united and so gifted.”

Dowson also namechecks his predecessor, another predecessor at the club's home, as a major influence. “It was my good fortune to be coached by highly engaging personalities,” he notes. “Jim had a big impact on my career, my training methods, how I deal with others.”

The team demonstrate attractive football, which was clearly evident in the example of their new signing. The Gallic player was part of the Clermont XV overcome in the Champions Cup in April when Freeman notched a hat-trick. The player liked what he saw enough to reverse the trend of British stars joining Top 14 sides.

“A friend rang me and stated: ‘We've found a fly-half from France who’s in search of a team,’” Dowson explains. “My response was: ‘We lack the money for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He desires experience, for the chance to test himself,’ my contact said. That intrigued us. We had a conversation with Belleau and his English was excellent, he was articulate, he had a sense of humour.

“We questioned: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He responded to be guided, to be challenged, to be facing unfamiliar situations and beyond the French league. I was saying: ‘Join us, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he proved to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson says the 20-year-old Pollock offers a specific energy. Does he know anyone comparable? “Not really,” Dowson responds. “Each person is unique but Pollock is different and unique in many ways. He’s fearless to be who he is.”

The player's spectacular touchdown against the Irish side previously illustrated his unusual ability, but various his demonstrative on-field behavior have led to accusations of arrogance.

“At times seems cocky in his actions, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson asserts. “Plus Pollock is not joking around the whole time. Game-wise he has contributions – he’s no fool. I believe sometimes it’s portrayed that he’s only a character. But he’s intelligent and good fun within the team.”

Not many managers would claim to have sharing a close bond with a colleague, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with Sam Vesty.

“Together possess an curiosity around different things,” he says. “We have a reading group. He wants to see everything, seeks to understand everything, wants to experience new experiences, and I believe I’m the similar.

“We discuss lots of topics beyond the sport: movies, reading, thoughts, art. When we faced the Parisian club last year, the landmark was being done up, so we had a little wander around.”

One more date in Gall is coming up: The Saints' comeback with the domestic league will be temporary because the European tournament intervenes next week. The French side, in the shadow of the border region, are up first on Sunday week before the South African team travel to the following weekend.

“I refuse to be presumptuous sufficiently to {