🔗 Share this article

Northampton may not be the most tropical location in the world, but its squad delivers an abundance of thrills and drama.

In a place renowned for boot‑making, you could anticipate boot work to be the Saints’ modus operandi. But under leader Phil Dowson, the side in green, black and gold choose to run with the ball.

Even though embodying a quintessentially English community, they showcase a panache typical of the best French practitioners of attacking rugby.

Since Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have secured the Premiership and advanced far in the continental tournament – defeated by a French side 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 their West Country rivals on Saturday as the just one without a loss, seeking a first win at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who played 262 elite fixtures for multiple clubs combined, had long intended to be a coach.

“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he states. “Yet as you mature, you understand how much you appreciate the game, and what the real world looks like. I had a stint at a banking firm doing work experience. You travel to work a several occasions, and it was challenging – you see what you have going for you.”

Conversations with club legends resulted in a position at the Saints. Move forward several seasons and Dowson guides a roster progressively filled with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles lined up for the Red Rose against the New Zealand two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a profound impact off the bench in England’s successful series while the fly-half, down the line, will assume the No 10 jersey.

Is the development of this outstanding cohort due to the Saints’ culture, or is it fortune?

“It is a bit of both,” comments Dowson. “I would acknowledge the former director of rugby, who thrust them into action, and we had some tough days. But the practice they had as a unit is definitely one of the causes they are so tight and so gifted.”

Dowson also mentions his predecessor, an earlier coach at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “I’ve been fortunate to be coached by highly engaging personalities,” he says. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my professional journey, my management style, how I interact with individuals.”

Saints play appealing football, which proved literally true in the example of their new signing. The import was involved with the opposing team defeated in the European competition in April when Freeman notched a triple. Belleau was impressed sufficiently to go against the flow of English talent moving to France.

“A mate rang me and said: ‘There’s a fly-half from France who’s looking for a club,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘We lack the money for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He desires experience, for the opportunity to test himself,’ my mate told me. That intrigued us. We had a conversation with him and his language skills was incredible, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.

“We questioned: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He responded to be coached, to be challenged, to be in a new environment and beyond the Top 14. I was like: ‘Join us, you’re a great person.’ And he proved to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the young Pollock provides a unique energy. Does he know a player similar? “No,” Dowson responds. “All players are original but he is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s fearless to be himself.”

Pollock’s sensational touchdown against their opponents last season illustrated his exceptional ability, but various his animated on-field antics have resulted in allegations of overconfidence.

“At times appears overconfident in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson asserts. “And Pollock is being serious the whole time. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s no fool. I believe at times it’s depicted that he’s just this idiot. But he’s clever and good fun within the team.”

Few coaches would describe themselves as having a bromance with a colleague, but that is how Dowson describes his partnership with his co-coach.

“Together possess an inquisitiveness about different things,” he explains. “We maintain a literary circle. He desires to explore various elements, aims to learn all there is, wants to experience varied activities, and I feel like I’m the alike.

“We converse on numerous topics beyond rugby: movies, books, ideas, culture. When we played the Parisian club last year, the cathedral was under renovation, so we had a little wander around.”

One more fixture in the French nation is approaching: Northampton’s comeback with the domestic league will be short-lived because the Champions Cup takes over next week. Pau, in the shadow of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on the coming weekend before the Pretoria-based club arrive at soon after.

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