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Northampton may not be the most tropical destination globally, but its club provides a great deal of romance and adventure.

In a city known for footwear manufacturing, you might expect boot work to be the Saints’ primary strategy. However under leader Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors opt to keep ball in hand.

Although playing for a distinctly UK location, they exhibit a style synonymous with the best French masters of champagne rugby.

After Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have claimed victory in the Premiership and advanced far in the Champions Cup – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and eliminated by Leinster in a semi-final previously.

They sit atop the league standings after four wins and a draw and visit Bristol on matchday as the just one without a loss, aiming for a initial success at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who featured in 262 top-flight matches for multiple clubs in total, always planned to be a trainer.

“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “But as you get older, you understand how much you appreciate the game, and what the normal employment looks like. I worked briefly at a banking firm doing a trial period. You make the journey a multiple instances, and it was challenging – you see what you have going for you.”

Discussions with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder led to a job at Northampton. Jump ahead eight years and Dowson leads a roster ever more filled with global stars: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for the Red Rose against the New Zealand two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a significant influence as a substitute in the national team's successful series while Fin Smith, eventually, will assume the No 10 jersey.

Is the rise of this remarkable group attributable to the club's environment, or is it luck?

“It is a bit of both,” states Dowson. “My thanks go to the former director of rugby, who thrust them into action, and we had challenging moments. But the experience they had as a unit is definitely one of the causes they are so close-knit and so skilled.”

Dowson also mentions Mallinder, a former boss at Franklin’s Gardens, as a significant mentor. “I’ve been fortunate to be mentored by highly engaging individuals,” he adds. “He had a significant influence on my rugby life, my coaching, how I interact with individuals.”

Saints execute appealing rugby, which became obvious in the case of the French fly-half. The import was part of the Clermont XV overcome in the continental tournament in April when Tommy Freeman notched a hat-trick. The player was impressed sufficiently to buck the pattern of English talent joining Top 14 sides.

“A friend called me and stated: ‘We've found a fly-half from France who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘We don’t have budget for a French fly-half. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He desires experience, for the opportunity to challenge himself,’ my friend said. That interested me. We had a conversation with Anthony and his communication was outstanding, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.

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

Dowson says the 20-year-old Pollock brings a particular energy. Has he encountered a player like him? “Never,” Dowson answers. “Everyone’s original but Henry is unusual and remarkable in many ways. He’s unafraid to be himself.”

The player's spectacular touchdown against their opponents previously demonstrated his freakish ability, but some of his expressive during matches antics have brought allegations of arrogance.

“He sometimes seems arrogant in his actions, but he’s not,” Dowson asserts. “Furthermore Henry’s not joking around the whole time. Tactically he has input – he’s not a clown. I think sometimes it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s bright and a positive influence to have around.”

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

“We both have an inquisitiveness about different things,” he explains. “We maintain a reading group. He wants to see all aspects, seeks to understand each detail, wants to experience varied activities, and I feel like I’m the alike.

“We converse on lots of things away from rugby: cinema, books, ideas, creativity. When we met our French rivals in the past season, the cathedral was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”

A further match in France is looming: Northampton’s comeback with the Prem will be temporary because the Champions Cup takes over shortly. The French side, in the shadow of the mountain range, are the initial challenge on the coming weekend before the Pretoria-based club travel to the following weekend.

“I refuse to be arrogant to the extent to {