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Northampton may not be the most tropical spot globally, but its rugby union team provides a great deal of excitement and passion.

In a city famous for shoe production, you would think boot work to be the Northampton's main approach. Yet under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in the club's hues choose to run with the ball.

Despite representing a typically British community, they exhibit a flair typical of the finest French masters of attacking rugby.

After Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the English top flight and advanced far in the European competition – defeated by a French side in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by the Irish province in a last-four clash before that.

They sit atop the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and travel to Bristol on Saturday as the sole undefeated team, aiming for a maiden victory at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who participated in 262 elite games for various teams combined, always planned to be a manager.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “However as you mature, you understand how much you appreciate the rugby, and what the real world entails. I spent some time at a financial institution doing a trial period. You make the journey a multiple instances, and it was tough – you see what you possess and lack.”

Talks with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder resulted in a job at Northampton. Jump ahead eight years and Dowson manages a roster ever more packed with national team players: key individuals were selected for the national side versus the All Blacks two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a major effect as a substitute in the national team's perfect autumn while Fin Smith, eventually, will take over the pivotal position.

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

“This is a bit of both,” says Dowson. “I would acknowledge an ex-coach, who basically just threw them in, and we had difficult periods. But the experience they had as a unit is definitely one of the reasons they are so close-knit and so skilled.”

Dowson also cites his predecessor, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a major influence. “It was my good fortune to be coached by exceptionally insightful individuals,” he says. “He had a major effect on my career, my training methods, how I deal with others.”

The team demonstrate entertaining football, which proved literally true in the example of their new signing. The import was part of the Clermont XV overcome in the European competition in last season when Tommy Freeman scored a hat-trick. Belleau liked what he saw to such an extent to reverse the trend of UK players moving to France.

“A mate called me and remarked: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s looking for a side,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘We lack the money for a French fly-half. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the possibility to prove his worth,’ my mate informed me. That interested me. We spoke to Belleau and his communication was excellent, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.

“We asked: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He responded to be coached, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and outside the Top 14. I was like: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a great person.’ And he turned out to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson comments the 20-year-old the flanker provides a particular energy. Has he coached an individual similar? “No,” Dowson replies. “Each person is individual but he is different and unique in numerous aspects. He’s fearless to be himself.”

Pollock’s sensational try against Leinster previously illustrated his exceptional talent, but various his expressive in-game actions have brought claims of arrogance.

“He sometimes appears arrogant in his conduct, but he’s far from it,” Dowson clarifies. “Plus he's not joking around constantly. Tactically he has ideas – he’s not a clown. I think sometimes it’s depicted that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and great to have to have around.”

Hardly any directors of rugby would admit to sharing a close bond with a head coach, but that is how Dowson characterizes his partnership with his co-coach.

“Together have an inquisitiveness regarding various topics,” he explains. “We have a reading group. He wants to see all aspects, seeks to understand everything, wants to experience different things, and I feel like I’m the alike.

“We discuss lots of subjects away from the game: films, reading, ideas, art. When we met Stade [Français] last year, the landmark was undergoing restoration, so we had a brief exploration.”

A further fixture in Gall is approaching: The Saints' return with the English competition will be temporary because the continental event takes over next week. Pau, in the vicinity of the border region, are the initial challenge on the coming weekend before the South African team travel to a week later.

“I refuse to be arrogant to the extent to {