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This English town may not be the most glamorous spot in the world, but its rugby union team provides a great deal of excitement and passion.

In a city renowned for boot‑making, you might expect kicking to be the Northampton's primary strategy. Yet under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the squad in the club's hues opt to keep ball in hand.

Even though embodying a distinctly UK town, they showcase a flair synonymous with the best Gallic masters of expansive play.

From the time Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the domestic league and progressed well in the European competition – defeated by a French side in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by the Irish province in a last-four clash previously.

They lead the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and visit Bristol on Saturday as the just one without a loss, chasing a maiden victory at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who featured in 262 premier games for various teams altogether, always planned to be a trainer.

“As a professional, I hadn't given it much thought,” he states. “However as you get older, you comprehend how much you love the sport, and what the normal employment is like. I worked briefly at a financial institution doing a trial period. You make the journey a few times, and it was tough – you grasp what you do and don’t have.”

Discussions with former mentors resulted in a position at the Saints. Jump ahead several seasons and Dowson guides a team ever more filled with internationals: prominent figures lined up for the Red Rose versus the All Blacks two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a major effect from the replacements in England’s successful series while the fly-half, in time, will take over the No 10 jersey.

Is the emergence of this remarkable generation because of the Saints’ culture, or is it luck?

“It's a mix of each,” comments Dowson. “I’d credit Chris Boyd, who basically just threw them in, and we had some tough days. But the experience they had as a collective is certainly one of the factors they are so united and so skilled.”

Dowson also mentions Jim Mallinder, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be guided by exceptionally insightful personalities,” he adds. “He had a significant influence on my rugby life, my training methods, how I manage individuals.”

Saints play entertaining football, which became obvious in the example of the French fly-half. The Gallic player was part of the Clermont XV defeated in the European competition in April when Tommy Freeman scored a triple. He was impressed sufficiently to go against the flow of British stars moving to France.

“A mate phoned me and stated: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson recalls. “I replied: ‘There's no funds for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for experience, for the opportunity to test himself,’ my mate told me. That interested me. We had a conversation with Belleau and his language skills was excellent, he was well-spoken, he had a witty personality.

“We asked: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He responded to be coached, to be driven, to be in a new environment and away from the French league. I was thinking: ‘Join us, you’re a great person.’ And he turned out to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the 20-year-old the flanker brings a particular vitality. Has he encountered anyone like him? “No,” Dowson answers. “Each person is unique but he is different and unique in numerous aspects. He’s unafraid to be who he is.”

His sensational score against their opponents previously illustrated his unusual skill, but some of his expressive in-game actions have resulted in claims of arrogance.

“He sometimes comes across as arrogant in his behavior, but he’s far from it,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore Henry’s being serious all the time. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I feel sometimes it’s shown that he’s merely a joker. But he’s bright and great to have in the squad.”

Few directors of rugby would claim to have having a bromance with a colleague, but that is how Dowson characterizes his connection with Sam Vesty.

“We both have an inquisitiveness about various topics,” he says. “We have a book club. He desires to explore everything, aims to learn everything, desires to try varied activities, and I think I’m the same.

“We converse on many subjects outside the sport: movies, books, ideas, art. When we met Stade [Français] in the past season, the landmark was under renovation, so we had a brief exploration.”

Another match in the French nation is coming up: Northampton’s return with the domestic league will be temporary because the European tournament takes over next week. Their next opponents, in the foothills of the border region, are the initial challenge on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club visit soon after.

“I won't be arrogant to the extent to {