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This English town isn't exactly the most glamorous spot globally, but its rugby union team delivers a great deal of thrills and drama.

In a place known for footwear manufacturing, you might expect boot work to be the Saints’ primary strategy. However under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold prefer to run with the ball.

Although embodying a distinctly UK community, they display a panache typical of the greatest French practitioners of champagne rugby.

After Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have won the English top flight and advanced far in the Champions Cup – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and eliminated by Dublin-based club in a semi-final earlier.

They lead the competition ladder after a series of victories and one tie and head to Ashton Gate on the weekend as the sole undefeated team, seeking a maiden victory at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who played 262 premier matches for various teams altogether, had long intended to be a trainer.

“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “However as you age, you understand how much you appreciate the game, and what the everyday life looks like. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You travel to work a multiple instances, and it was tough – you realise what you have going for you.”

Conversations with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a job at Northampton. Move forward a decade and Dowson manages a roster progressively packed with global stars: key individuals were selected for England versus the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a profound impact as a substitute in England’s successful series while the number ten, eventually, will assume the No 10 jersey.

Is the emergence of this remarkable cohort attributable to the Saints’ culture, or is it chance?

“It is a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who basically just threw them in, and we had challenging moments. But the experience they had as a unit is certainly one of the reasons they are so close-knit and so talented.”

Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, a former boss at their stadium, as a major influence. “I was lucky to be coached by really interesting personalities,” he says. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my rugby life, my coaching, how I manage individuals.”

Saints demonstrate entertaining the game, which proved literally true in the example of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was a member of the French club beaten in the Champions Cup in April when Freeman notched a triple. Belleau liked what he saw enough to go against the flow of British stars joining Top 14 sides.

“An associate rang me and stated: ‘We know of a Gallic number ten who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘We lack the budget for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He wants a fresh start, for the chance to test himself,’ my mate informed me. That caught my attention. We spoke to him and his communication was excellent, he was articulate, he had a sense of humour.

“We questioned: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He said to be trained, to be driven, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the domestic competition. I was saying: ‘Join us, you’re a great person.’ And he has been. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson comments the emerging Pollock brings a specific enthusiasm. Does he know anyone comparable? “Never,” Dowson replies. “All players are original but Henry is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”

His breathtaking score against the Irish side previously showcased his exceptional skill, but various his expressive during matches actions have led to claims of cockiness.

“On occasion comes across as cocky in his actions, but he’s not,” Dowson says. “And he's not joking around all the time. In terms of strategy he has contributions – he’s not a clown. I feel at times it’s depicted that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and good fun within the team.”

Hardly any directors of rugby would admit to sharing a close bond with a assistant, but that is how Dowson describes his relationship with his co-coach.

“Together share an curiosity regarding diverse subjects,” he notes. “We run a literary circle. He wants to see everything, wants to know each detail, desires to try new experiences, and I think I’m the similar.

“We talk about lots of topics outside the sport: movies, books, thoughts, art. When we met the Parisian club in the past season, the landmark was being done up, so we had a quick look.”

Another date in Gall is looming: The Saints' reacquaintance with the domestic league will be brief because the European tournament intervenes soon. The French side, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are up first on matchday before the South African team visit a week later.

“I refuse to be arrogant enough to {