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Northampton may not be the most glamorous spot globally, but its rugby union team delivers a great deal of thrills and drama.

In a city known for footwear manufacturing, you could anticipate punting to be the Saints’ main approach. But under leader Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors opt to run with the ball.

Even though playing for a quintessentially English community, they showcase a panache associated with the finest French practitioners of expansive play.

Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have won the Premiership and gone deep in the Champions Cup – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and eliminated by Leinster in a penultimate round earlier.

They currently top the competition ladder after four wins and a draw and visit Ashton Gate on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, aiming for a initial success at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who featured in 262 top-flight matches for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, always planned to be a trainer.

“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “However as you get older, you realise how much you enjoy the game, and what the real world entails. I had a stint at a banking firm doing an internship. You do the commute a few times, and it was tough – you realise what you possess and lack.”

Conversations with club legends resulted in a role at the Saints. Fast-forward eight years and Dowson leads a squad increasingly filled with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for the national side versus the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a profound impact off the bench in England’s flawless campaign while Fin Smith, down the line, will take over the pivotal position.

Is the emergence of this outstanding group because of the club's environment, or is it chance?

“This is a bit of both,” states Dowson. “I would acknowledge Chris Boyd, who basically just threw them in, and we had difficult periods. But the experience they had as a group is certainly one of the factors they are so close-knit and so gifted.”

Dowson also namechecks Mallinder, a former boss at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be mentored by really interesting personalities,” he notes. “Jim had a significant influence on my rugby life, my training methods, how I interact with people.”

Saints demonstrate appealing rugby, which proved literally true in the case of the French fly-half. The Gallic player was a member of the opposing team beaten in the European competition in last season when Freeman registered a three tries. The player was impressed sufficiently to reverse the trend of English talent moving to France.

“An associate rang me and said: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s seeking a side,’” Dowson says. “My response was: ‘We don’t have budget for a French fly-half. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He wants new challenges, for the possibility to test himself,’ my mate told me. That interested me. We had a conversation with Anthony and his English was outstanding, he was eloquent, he had a funny side.

“We inquired: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He said to be coached, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he proved to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson comments the 20-year-old the flanker offers a particular enthusiasm. Has he encountered an individual comparable? “No,” Dowson answers. “Each person is individual but Pollock is distinct and special in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be himself.”

The player's spectacular score against the Irish side last season illustrated his unusual skill, but a few of his animated during matches behavior have led to accusations of cockiness.

“He sometimes seems overconfident in his behavior, but he’s far from it,” Dowson asserts. “Plus Pollock is being serious constantly. Tactically he has contributions – he’s no fool. I think sometimes it’s portrayed that he’s only a character. But he’s intelligent and a positive influence within the team.”

Not many directors of rugby would claim to have sharing a close bond with a head coach, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with Vesty.

“Together have an curiosity around different things,” he notes. “We run a book club. He wants to see all aspects, aims to learn all there is, desires to try different things, and I believe I’m the same.

“We talk about lots of things beyond rugby: cinema, literature, ideas, culture. When we faced our French rivals in the past season, Notre-Dame was undergoing restoration, so we had a brief exploration.”

One more date in France is approaching: The Saints' reacquaintance with the domestic league will be temporary because the continental event kicks in soon. The French side, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on matchday before the Pretoria-based club arrive at soon after.

“I’m not going to be arrogant to the extent to {