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Northampton isn't exactly the most glamorous destination on the planet, but its club delivers an abundance of thrills and drama.

In a town renowned for shoe production, you might expect boot work to be the Northampton's modus operandi. However under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors opt to keep ball in hand.

Even though embodying a distinctly UK location, they display a panache synonymous with the finest Gallic practitioners of champagne rugby.

After Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have secured the English top flight and progressed well in the Champions Cup – beaten by a French side in the ultimate match and ousted by Dublin-based club in a semi-final previously.

They lead the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and visit Bristol on Saturday as the sole undefeated team, chasing a initial success at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who featured in 262 elite matches for multiple clubs combined, consistently aimed to be a manager.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “Yet as you age, you understand how much you appreciate the rugby, and what the normal employment entails. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing an internship. You travel to work a several occasions, and it was tough – you realise what you have going for you.”

Talks with former mentors resulted in a position at Northampton. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson manages a team ever more filled with global stars: key individuals started for England facing the All Blacks two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a profound impact off the bench in England’s flawless campaign while Fin Smith, eventually, will take over the fly-half role.

Is the development of this outstanding group due to the team's ethos, or is it chance?

“This is a bit of both,” states Dowson. “I’d credit an ex-coach, who basically just threw them in, and we had challenging moments. But the experience they had as a group is certainly one of the causes they are so close-knit and so skilled.”

Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “It was my good fortune to be guided by highly engaging people,” he adds. “Mallinder had a big impact on my career, my coaching, how I deal with people.”

Saints demonstrate appealing rugby, which was clearly evident in the instance of the French fly-half. The Frenchman was part of the Clermont XV defeated in the Champions Cup in the spring when Freeman scored a triple. Belleau admired the style to such an extent to reverse the trend of UK players moving to France.

“A friend called me and remarked: ‘We've found a fly-half from France who’s looking for a team,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘We don’t have money for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for experience, for the opportunity to test himself,’ my contact told me. That interested me. We spoke to him and his communication was incredible, he was articulate, he had a funny side.

“We questioned: ‘What do you want from this?’ He said to be guided, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and outside the Top 14. I was like: ‘Join us, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he has been. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson states the emerging the flanker offers a particular energy. Does he know a player like him? “Not really,” Dowson answers. “All players are individual but Pollock is distinct and special in numerous aspects. He’s fearless to be himself.”

The player's spectacular touchdown against Leinster last season illustrated his exceptional talent, but various his expressive during matches actions have led to allegations of arrogance.

“He sometimes appears arrogant in his behavior, but he’s far from it,” Dowson says. “Furthermore Pollock is not taking the piss constantly. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s no fool. I believe on occasion it’s depicted that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and good fun to have around.”

Few managers would admit to having a bromance with a colleague, but that is how Dowson characterizes his connection with his co-coach.

“Together possess an curiosity regarding different things,” he says. “We maintain a literary circle. He desires to explore all aspects, wants to know all there is, desires to try new experiences, and I feel like I’m the alike.

“We converse on many things away from the game: cinema, literature, concepts, art. When we faced Stade [Français] in the past season, the landmark was under renovation, so we had a quick look.”

Another match in Gall is looming: The Saints' reacquaintance with the Prem will be brief because the European tournament kicks in soon. Pau, in the vicinity of the mountain range, are up first on the coming weekend before the Bulls travel to a week later.

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