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Northampton isn't exactly the most exotic destination on the planet, but its rugby union team delivers plenty of excitement and passion.

In a town famous for shoe production, you could anticipate punting to be the Saints’ main approach. Yet under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in the club's hues opt to retain possession.

Although playing for a distinctly UK town, they showcase a panache synonymous with the greatest Gallic practitioners of expansive play.

From the time Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the English top flight and advanced far in the European competition – losing to a French side in the ultimate match and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a penultimate round earlier.

They sit atop the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and travel to their West Country rivals on Saturday as the just one without a loss, chasing a maiden victory at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who participated in 262 premier matches for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, consistently aimed to be a manager.

“During my career, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “However as you mature, you comprehend how much you appreciate the sport, and what the real world is like. I had a stint at a financial institution doing work experience. You travel to work a few times, and it was tough – you realise what you possess and lack.”

Conversations with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder led to a job at Northampton. Jump ahead several seasons and Dowson guides a team progressively crammed with global stars: key individuals started for the Red Rose facing the New Zealand two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a profound impact as a substitute in England’s successful series while the fly-half, eventually, will assume the pivotal position.

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

“This is a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “I would acknowledge an ex-coach, who basically just threw them in, and we had some tough days. But the experience they had as a group is certainly one of the reasons they are so united and so gifted.”

Dowson also namechecks Mallinder, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “It was my good fortune to be coached by really interesting people,” he says. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my rugby life, my training methods, how I interact with people.”

Northampton demonstrate attractive football, which was clearly evident in the instance of the French fly-half. The Gallic player was a member of the opposing team overcome in the continental tournament in last season when Freeman scored a hat-trick. Belleau admired the style sufficiently to go against the flow of UK players heading across the Channel.

“A friend phoned me and remarked: ‘We've found a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a club,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘We don’t have money for a overseas star. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He desires experience, for the opportunity to prove his worth,’ my contact told me. That caught my attention. We spoke to Belleau and his English was outstanding, he was well-spoken, he had a funny side.

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

Dowson states the emerging Pollock offers a specific vitality. Has he coached anyone similar? “Not really,” Dowson responds. “Everyone’s individual but Henry is unusual and remarkable in numerous aspects. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”

The player's breathtaking score against Leinster previously showcased his freakish ability, but some of his demonstrative on-field antics have led to allegations of overconfidence.

“On occasion appears cocky in his actions, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson asserts. “Furthermore Henry’s not taking the piss the whole time. Tactically he has input – he’s no fool. I think sometimes it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s bright and great to have to have around.”

Hardly any directors of rugby would admit to sharing a close bond with a colleague, but that is how Dowson describes his partnership with Sam Vesty.

“Sam and I possess an curiosity regarding various topics,” he says. “We maintain a reading group. He aims to discover all aspects, aims to learn each detail, wants to experience different things, and I believe I’m the alike.

“We converse on numerous things outside rugby: movies, books, concepts, culture. When we met the Parisian club previously, Notre-Dame was undergoing restoration, so we had a brief exploration.”

Another fixture in the French nation is approaching: The Saints' return with the English competition will be short-lived because the European tournament kicks in shortly. Their next opponents, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are the opening fixture on Sunday week before the South African team visit a week later.

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