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Northampton isn't exactly the most glamorous location in the world, but its rugby union team offers plenty of excitement and passion.

In a place renowned for shoe production, you would think kicking to be the Saints’ primary strategy. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold choose to run with the ball.

Although playing for a quintessentially English community, they exhibit a flair synonymous with the greatest French practitioners of expansive play.

From the time Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have claimed victory in the Premiership and gone deep in the continental tournament – defeated by their Gallic opponents in last season’s final and knocked out by the Irish province in a penultimate round earlier.

They lead the league standings after four wins and a draw and visit their West Country rivals on matchday as the just one without a loss, aiming for a maiden victory at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 top-flight fixtures for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester combined, had long intended to be a manager.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he remarks. “But as you mature, you comprehend how much you love the game, and what the everyday life looks like. I spent some time at a banking firm doing a trial period. You do the commute a several occasions, and it was difficult – you realise what you do and don’t have.”

Conversations with club legends resulted in a job at Northampton. Move forward eight years and Dowson leads a roster progressively packed with national team players: prominent figures were selected for the national side against the All Blacks two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a major effect from the replacements in the national team's perfect autumn while the number ten, down the line, will inherit the pivotal position.

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

“This is a bit of both,” states Dowson. “I would acknowledge the former director of rugby, who thrust them into action, and we had difficult periods. But the experience they had as a collective is undoubtedly one of the reasons they are so united and so talented.”

Dowson also mentions Mallinder, another predecessor at Franklin’s Gardens, as a significant mentor. “I’ve been fortunate to be coached by highly engaging personalities,” he notes. “He had a big impact on my career, my management style, how I interact with people.”

Saints execute attractive the game, which was clearly evident in the instance of Anthony Belleau. The Frenchman was involved with the French club beaten in the Champions Cup in last season when the winger notched a hat-trick. The player admired the style sufficiently to buck the pattern of British stars heading across the Channel.

“A mate called me and said: ‘We've found a Gallic number ten who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘We don’t have funds for a overseas star. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He wants a fresh start, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my mate said. That intrigued us. We met with him and his communication was excellent, he was eloquent, he had a sense of humour.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He said to be coached, to be challenged, to be in a new environment and outside the French league. I was thinking: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson comments the 20-year-old the flanker brings a specific enthusiasm. Does he know a player similar? “No,” Dowson answers. “Everyone’s unique but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be authentic.”

His sensational try against the Irish side in the past campaign illustrated his exceptional talent, but a few of his animated in-game actions have led to claims of cockiness.

“At times appears overconfident in his actions, but he’s far from it,” Dowson asserts. “Furthermore Henry’s not joking around constantly. Game-wise he has contributions – he’s no fool. I feel at times it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s clever and a positive influence to have around.”

Hardly any coaches would claim to have having a bromance with a assistant, but that is how Dowson describes his partnership with Sam Vesty.

“We both share an interest around diverse subjects,” he says. “We have a reading group. He wants to see all aspects, seeks to understand everything, aims to encounter new experiences, and I think I’m the alike.

“We converse on lots of subjects beyond rugby: films, reading, ideas, creativity. When we met the Parisian club previously, the cathedral was under renovation, so we had a brief exploration.”

A further date in Gall is approaching: Northampton’s comeback with the English competition will be short-lived because the European tournament intervenes shortly. Pau, in the shadow of the Pyrenees, are the opening fixture on the coming weekend before the South African team travel to the following weekend.

“I won't be overconfident enough to {