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Northampton may not be the most glamorous destination on the planet, but its squad delivers a great deal of thrills and drama.

In a town known for shoe production, you might expect kicking to be the Saints’ modus operandi. But under leader Phil Dowson, the team in green, black and gold opt to retain possession.

Although representing a typically British location, they showcase a panache synonymous with the best Gallic practitioners of attacking rugby.

Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have claimed victory in the domestic league and gone deep in the European competition – defeated by a French side in the ultimate match and ousted by the Irish province in a last-four clash previously.

They sit atop the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and visit Ashton Gate on matchday as the just one without a loss, seeking a maiden victory at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who played 262 premier games for multiple clubs altogether, always planned to be a trainer.

“As a professional, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “But as you mature, you comprehend how much you appreciate the rugby, and what the real world looks like. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing an internship. You do the commute a several occasions, and it was difficult – you realise what you have going for you.”

Conversations with former mentors led to a position at the Saints. Fast-forward a decade and Dowson manages a squad ever more packed with global stars: key individuals started for the national side against the New Zealand two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a profound impact off the bench in the national team's successful series while Fin Smith, eventually, will inherit the fly-half role.

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

“This is a bit of both,” says Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who basically just threw them in, and we had difficult periods. But the exposure they had as a collective is certainly one of the reasons they are so tight and so talented.”

Dowson also namechecks Jim Mallinder, an earlier coach at Franklin’s Gardens, as a major influence. “It was my good fortune to be mentored by highly engaging personalities,” he adds. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my rugby life, my coaching, how I interact with individuals.”

The team execute appealing the game, which became obvious in the example of Anthony Belleau. The import was part of the Clermont XV beaten in the Champions Cup in April when Tommy Freeman scored a hat-trick. The player admired the style sufficiently to reverse the trend of UK players joining Top 14 sides.

“An associate called me and said: ‘We've found a fly-half from France who’s seeking a side,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘There's no money for a French fly-half. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the chance to prove his worth,’ my contact informed me. That caught my attention. We met with Anthony and his language skills was incredible, he was eloquent, he had a witty personality.

“We asked: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He said to be guided, to be pushed, to be in a new environment and beyond the domestic competition. I was saying: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a great person.’ And he turned out to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the young the flanker provides a unique energy. Does he know anyone similar? “Never,” Dowson answers. “Each person is original but Henry is distinct and special in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be authentic.”

The player's sensational score against the Irish side previously showcased his exceptional talent, but various his demonstrative during matches actions have resulted in allegations of arrogance.

“At times seems arrogant in his actions, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore he's not joking around the whole time. Game-wise he has ideas – he’s not a clown. I feel on occasion it’s portrayed that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and great to have within the team.”

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

“We both share an curiosity regarding diverse subjects,” he explains. “We maintain a reading group. He wants to see various elements, seeks to understand all there is, wants to experience new experiences, and I feel like I’m the same.

“We converse on numerous things away from the game: cinema, literature, ideas, culture. When we played the Parisian club in the past season, the landmark was under renovation, so we had a brief exploration.”

A further date in the French nation is approaching: The Saints' return with the domestic league will be short-lived because the European tournament intervenes next week. The French side, in the shadow of the border region, are the opening fixture on Sunday week before the South African team visit a week later.

“I won't be overconfident enough to {