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Northampton is hardly the most tropical spot globally, but its rugby union team delivers plenty of excitement and passion.

In a town known for footwear manufacturing, you could anticipate boot work to be the Saints’ primary strategy. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the squad in their distinctive colors choose to retain possession.

Although playing for a typically British town, they showcase a style typical of the greatest Gallic masters of expansive play.

From the time Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have secured the English top flight and advanced far in the continental tournament – defeated by Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and knocked out by the Irish province in a semi-final before that.

They lead the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and head to their West Country rivals on Saturday as the only unbeaten side, seeking a maiden victory at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who played 262 elite games for multiple clubs in total, always planned to be a trainer.

“During my career, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “Yet as you mature, you understand how much you appreciate the rugby, and what the normal employment entails. I had a stint at a banking firm doing a trial period. You do the commute a few times, and it was tough – you see what you have going for you.”

Conversations with club legends culminated in a role at the Saints. Move forward a decade and Dowson guides a squad progressively packed with global stars: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles lined up for England facing the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a profound impact as a substitute in England’s perfect autumn while the fly-half, eventually, will take over the pivotal position.

Is the development of this exceptional group due to the team's ethos, or is it luck?

“This is a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to the former director of rugby, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the experience they had as a unit is definitely one of the factors they are so tight and so talented.”

Dowson also mentions Mallinder, another predecessor at the club's home, as a major influence. “I’ve been fortunate to be mentored by really interesting people,” he says. “Jim had a big impact on my professional journey, my coaching, how I deal with people.”

The team demonstrate entertaining football, which proved literally true in the instance of Anthony Belleau. The import was part of the French club defeated in the Champions Cup in last season when Tommy Freeman notched a triple. The player admired the style sufficiently to reverse the trend of English talent joining Top 14 sides.

“An associate phoned me and stated: ‘We know of a Gallic number ten who’s looking for a club,’” Dowson explains. “I said: ‘We lack the budget for a French fly-half. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the chance to test himself,’ my mate told me. That caught my attention. We met with Belleau and his language skills was incredible, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.

“We questioned: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He answered to be guided, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson comments the young the flanker provides a particular vitality. Has he encountered an individual like him? “Never,” Dowson replies. “All players are unique but Henry is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s fearless to be who he is.”

The player's breathtaking touchdown against their opponents previously illustrated his unusual skill, but various his demonstrative on-field behavior have resulted in accusations of cockiness.

“On occasion seems cocky in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “And Henry’s being serious constantly. Tactically he has contributions – he’s not a clown. I believe sometimes it’s portrayed that he’s just this idiot. But he’s clever and great to have within the team.”

Hardly any directors of rugby would describe themselves as sharing a close bond with a colleague, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with his co-coach.

“Together possess an inquisitiveness regarding different things,” he says. “We have a reading group. He aims to discover everything, wants to know all there is, wants to experience new experiences, and I believe I’m the similar.

“We converse on lots of things outside the sport: films, literature, concepts, art. When we played Stade [Français] in the past season, Notre-Dame was under renovation, so we had a brief exploration.”

One more date in Gall is approaching: Northampton’s return with the Prem will be brief because the Champions Cup intervenes shortly. Their next opponents, in the foothills of the border region, are the initial challenge on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club travel to soon after.

“I refuse to be arrogant sufficiently to {