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This English town isn't exactly the most glamorous location globally, but its rugby union team delivers an abundance of thrills and drama.

In a place known for shoe production, you could anticipate boot work to be the Saints’ main approach. However under leader Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors choose to keep ball in hand.

Although representing a distinctly UK town, they showcase a panache associated with the greatest French exponents of champagne rugby.

After Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have won the English top flight and gone deep in the Champions Cup – beaten by their Gallic opponents in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a penultimate round before that.

They lead the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and travel to Ashton Gate on the weekend as the sole undefeated team, seeking a initial success at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who participated in 262 top-flight fixtures for various teams in total, consistently aimed to be a trainer.

“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “But as you get older, you understand how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the normal employment entails. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You travel to work a few times, and it was difficult – you see what you have going for you.”

Conversations with former mentors resulted in a role at the Saints. Jump ahead a decade and Dowson manages a team increasingly packed with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles lined up for the Red Rose versus the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a significant influence off the bench in England’s successful series while the number ten, in time, will inherit the fly-half role.

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

“It is a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to Chris Boyd, who thrust them into action, and we had some tough days. But the experience they had as a group is undoubtedly one of the reasons they are so close-knit and so talented.”

Dowson also namechecks Mallinder, another predecessor at their stadium, as a major influence. “I was lucky to be mentored by exceptionally insightful personalities,” he adds. “He had a big impact on my professional journey, my training methods, how I interact with individuals.”

Northampton execute appealing football, which became obvious in the case of the French fly-half. The Frenchman was part of the Clermont XV beaten in the continental tournament in the spring when the winger scored a triple. Belleau admired the style to such an extent to reverse the trend of English talent moving to France.

“A friend called me and remarked: ‘We've found a Gallic number ten who’s seeking a side,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘We lack the money for a overseas star. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for a fresh start, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my friend told me. That caught my attention. We spoke to Belleau and his English was excellent, he was articulate, he had a funny side.

“We asked: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be coached, to be challenged, to be in a new environment and outside the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Join us, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson comments the 20-year-old Henry Pollock brings a unique energy. Has he coached anyone like him? “Never,” Dowson responds. “All players are individual but Pollock is distinct and special in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be himself.”

Pollock’s breathtaking try against Leinster last season illustrated his unusual skill, but some of his expressive during matches antics have resulted in allegations of arrogance.

“On occasion seems cocky in his behavior, but he’s far from it,” Dowson asserts. “Furthermore Henry’s not taking the piss all the time. Game-wise he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I feel sometimes it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s clever and good fun within the team.”

Few managers would describe themselves as enjoying a tight friendship with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with Sam Vesty.

“Together possess an inquisitiveness regarding different things,” he says. “We run a book club. He wants to see all aspects, wants to know everything, desires to try varied activities, and I feel like I’m the alike.

“We talk about lots of topics away from rugby: films, books, thoughts, culture. When we played the Parisian club in the past season, Notre-Dame was under renovation, so we had a little wander around.”

Another fixture in the French nation is looming: The Saints' reacquaintance with the domestic league will be short-lived because the European tournament intervenes shortly. Their next opponents, in the foothills of the border region, are up first on Sunday week before the South African team visit a week later.

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