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This English town may not be the most exotic location on the planet, but its squad delivers a great deal of romance and adventure.

In a place famous for shoe production, you might expect kicking to be the Saints’ main approach. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in the club's hues choose to run with the ball.

Despite representing a quintessentially English town, they showcase a flair typical of the finest French exponents of champagne rugby.

After Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have claimed victory in the domestic league and progressed well in the Champions Cup – defeated by a French side in the previous campaign's decider and ousted by Dublin-based club in a semi-final before that.

They sit atop the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to Bristol on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, seeking a first win at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who featured in 262 premier games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, had long intended to be a trainer.

“During my career, I never seriously considered it,” he remarks. “But as you get older, you comprehend how much you enjoy the sport, and what the normal employment entails. I had a stint at a banking firm doing work experience. You do the commute a several occasions, and it was challenging – you see what you have going for you.”

Discussions with former mentors culminated in a role at Northampton. Jump ahead a decade and Dowson leads a squad increasingly packed with internationals: prominent figures lined up for the Red Rose facing the All Blacks two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a major effect off the bench in the national team's successful series while the number ten, in time, will inherit the pivotal position.

Is the emergence of this remarkable generation due to the club's environment, or is it fortune?

“It's a mix of each,” states Dowson. “I’d credit an ex-coach, who thrust them into action, and we had challenging moments. But the exposure they had as a collective is certainly one of the causes they are so united and so gifted.”

Dowson also cites Mallinder, an earlier coach at Franklin’s Gardens, as a significant mentor. “It was my good fortune to be guided by highly engaging personalities,” he notes. “Jim had a major effect on my rugby life, my coaching, how I interact with others.”

Northampton execute appealing football, which was clearly evident in the case of the French fly-half. The Frenchman was part of the opposing team overcome in the European competition in the spring when Freeman scored a three tries. The player was impressed sufficiently to go against the flow of UK players heading across the Channel.

“A mate called me and said: ‘We've found a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson recalls. “I replied: ‘We lack the money for a imported playmaker. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for new challenges, for the chance to prove his worth,’ my contact told me. That caught my attention. We had a conversation with Belleau and his communication was incredible, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.

“We inquired: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He responded to be guided, to be challenged, to be in a new environment and away from the Top 14. I was like: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson states the young Pollock brings a particular energy. Has he encountered anyone comparable? “Never,” Dowson responds. “Each person is individual but he is distinct and special in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be himself.”

His spectacular try against Leinster in the past campaign illustrated his exceptional skill, but various his animated in-game behavior have brought claims of arrogance.

“On occasion appears cocky in his behavior, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “And Pollock is not taking the piss all the time. Tactically he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I believe sometimes it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s intelligent and good fun within the team.”

Not many coaches would describe themselves as enjoying a tight friendship with a colleague, but that is how Dowson describes his partnership with his co-coach.

“We both have an interest about different things,” he notes. “We run a reading group. He desires to explore all aspects, seeks to understand all there is, aims to encounter new experiences, and I think I’m the same.

“We discuss lots of subjects away from the game: movies, books, concepts, culture. When we faced our French rivals previously, the landmark was undergoing restoration, so we had a little wander around.”

One more date in France is approaching: The Saints' reacquaintance with the English competition will be temporary because the continental event takes over shortly. Their next opponents, in the vicinity of the mountain range, are the initial challenge on the coming weekend before the Bulls visit the following weekend.

“I won't be overconfident to the extent to {