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This English town may not be the most exotic spot in the world, but its rugby union team delivers plenty of thrills and drama.

In a place famous for boot‑making, you would think kicking to be the Saints’ main approach. Yet under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the team in green, black and gold prefer to run with the ball.

Although representing a distinctly UK location, they showcase a panache synonymous with the best French exponents of attacking rugby.

Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have claimed victory in the domestic league and progressed well in the European competition – beaten by Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and knocked out by the Irish province in a last-four clash previously.

They currently top the league standings after multiple successes and a single stalemate and travel to Bristol on matchday as the just one without a loss, aiming for a initial success at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 elite games for multiple clubs altogether, had long intended to be a coach.

“As a professional, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “However as you get older, you realise how much you enjoy the sport, and what the everyday life is like. I had a stint at a financial institution doing an internship. You do the commute a multiple instances, and it was difficult – you see what you have going for you.”

Conversations with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a position at Northampton. Jump ahead eight years and Dowson guides a team progressively filled with global stars: key individuals started for England versus the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a profound impact off the bench in the national team's flawless campaign while Fin Smith, in time, will take over the No 10 jersey.

Is the emergence of this exceptional group attributable to the Saints’ culture, or is it chance?

“This is a bit of both,” states Dowson. “I’d credit Chris Boyd, who thrust them into action, and we had challenging moments. But the experience they had as a group is undoubtedly one of the causes they are so tight and so skilled.”

Dowson also mentions his predecessor, another predecessor at their stadium, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be guided by really interesting people,” he adds. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my professional journey, my training methods, how I interact with individuals.”

The team execute entertaining rugby, which became obvious in the example of their new signing. The Gallic player was involved with the French club defeated in the European competition in April when the winger scored a hat-trick. He liked what he saw enough to go against the flow of English talent moving to France.

“An associate rang me and remarked: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s looking for a team,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘We lack the funds for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He wants new challenges, for the chance to prove his worth,’ my contact said. That caught my attention. We met with Belleau and his English was outstanding, he was well-spoken, he had a witty personality.

“We questioned: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be guided, to be challenged, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he has been. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson states the young the flanker provides a particular enthusiasm. Has he encountered anyone similar? “Not really,” Dowson answers. “Everyone’s individual but Henry is different and unique in many ways. He’s fearless to be who he is.”

His spectacular touchdown against Leinster previously illustrated his exceptional talent, but some of his demonstrative during matches behavior have led to allegations of cockiness.

“At times seems arrogant in his conduct, but he’s far from it,” Dowson asserts. “Furthermore Pollock is not taking the piss all the time. Tactically he has ideas – he’s not a clown. I feel sometimes it’s shown that he’s merely a joker. But he’s clever and good fun in the squad.”

Hardly any directors of rugby would admit to having a bromance with a colleague, but that is how Dowson describes his relationship with his co-coach.

“We both share an inquisitiveness about different things,” he explains. “We run a book club. He wants to see everything, wants to know each detail, aims to encounter varied activities, and I think I’m the similar.

“We converse on many topics beyond the game: movies, literature, ideas, culture. When we faced our French rivals previously, Notre-Dame was undergoing restoration, so we had a little wander around.”

Another match in France is coming up: The Saints' reacquaintance with the Prem will be short-lived because the continental event intervenes next week. The French side, in the shadow of the mountain range, are up first on matchday before the Pretoria-based club visit a week later.

“I’m not going to be presumptuous sufficiently to {