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Northampton isn't exactly the most tropical destination in the world, but its squad offers a great deal of thrills and drama.

In a place famous for footwear manufacturing, you might expect kicking to be the Saints’ main approach. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the side in their distinctive colors prefer to keep ball in hand.

Although embodying a distinctly UK location, they display a style synonymous with the best Gallic exponents of expansive play.

From the time Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have won the domestic league and progressed well in the European competition – beaten by Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and ousted by the Irish province in a penultimate round earlier.

They sit atop the Prem table after four wins and a draw and head to Ashton Gate on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, chasing a maiden victory at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who played 262 top-flight fixtures for various teams altogether, consistently aimed to be a manager.

“During my career, I never seriously considered it,” he says. “But as you get older, you realise how much you love the game, and what the normal employment is like. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing an internship. You travel to work a multiple instances, and it was tough – you see what you possess and lack.”

Discussions with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder led to a job at the Saints. Jump ahead eight years and Dowson guides a squad progressively filled with internationals: key individuals were selected for England facing the All Blacks two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a significant influence as a substitute in the national team's successful series while the number ten, eventually, will inherit the pivotal position.

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

“It is a bit of both,” states Dowson. “I’d credit Chris Boyd, who basically just threw them in, and we had difficult periods. But the experience they had as a unit is undoubtedly one of the causes they are so tight and so skilled.”

Dowson also cites Mallinder, another predecessor at their stadium, as a major influence. “I’ve been fortunate to be mentored by really interesting people,” he notes. “Jim had a major effect on my professional journey, my training methods, how I interact with people.”

Northampton play appealing the game, which was clearly evident in the instance of Anthony Belleau. The Frenchman was involved with the French club beaten in the European competition in the spring when Freeman notched a three tries. He liked what he saw to such an extent to go against the flow of British stars heading across the Channel.

“An associate called me and stated: ‘We know of a Gallic number ten who’s looking for a side,’” Dowson says. “My response was: ‘We don’t have money for a overseas star. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He desires experience, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my mate informed me. That interested me. We spoke to him and his language skills was incredible, he was articulate, he had a sense of humour.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He said to be trained, to be pushed, to be facing unfamiliar situations and outside the Top 14. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he has been. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson states the emerging Henry Pollock offers a unique vitality. Has he coached anyone similar? “No,” Dowson answers. “Everyone’s individual but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in many ways. He’s unafraid to be authentic.”

Pollock’s spectacular touchdown against the Irish side previously illustrated his freakish talent, but a few of his expressive in-game actions have led to accusations of arrogance.

“At times appears overconfident in his behavior, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson says. “Plus he's not taking the piss all the time. Game-wise he has contributions – he’s no fool. I believe at times it’s portrayed that he’s just this idiot. But he’s clever and a positive influence within the team.”

Not many coaches would admit to enjoying a tight friendship with a head coach, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with Sam Vesty.

“Together possess an interest regarding diverse subjects,” he says. “We have a book club. He aims to discover various elements, aims to learn everything, aims to encounter varied activities, and I feel like I’m the similar.

“We talk about lots of things beyond the sport: films, books, ideas, creativity. When we faced our French rivals previously, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a quick look.”

One more date in the French nation is looming: Northampton’s return with the English competition will be temporary because the Champions Cup takes over next week. Their next opponents, in the shadow of the mountain range, are up first on Sunday week before the South African team travel to the following weekend.

“I’m not going to be arrogant sufficiently to {