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Northampton isn't exactly the most tropical spot globally, but its squad delivers a great deal of thrills and drama.

In a town renowned for footwear manufacturing, you might expect punting to be the Northampton's modus operandi. However under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold prefer to keep ball in hand.

Even though playing for a quintessentially English town, they exhibit a style synonymous with the best Gallic exponents of expansive play.

Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have won the Premiership and advanced far in the continental tournament – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a semi-final earlier.

They sit atop the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and visit Bristol on matchday as the only unbeaten side, seeking a first win at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who featured in 262 premier fixtures for multiple clubs altogether, always planned to be a trainer.

“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “But as you age, you comprehend how much you enjoy the sport, and what the everyday life entails. I spent some time at a banking firm doing a trial period. You travel to work a several occasions, and it was challenging – you grasp what you have going for you.”

Discussions with former mentors culminated in a position at Northampton. Fast-forward eight years and Dowson leads a roster increasingly crammed with internationals: prominent figures were selected for the national side versus the All Blacks two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a significant influence as a substitute in England’s successful series while the fly-half, in time, will inherit the pivotal position.

Is the emergence of this exceptional generation attributable to the team's ethos, or is it chance?

“It is a bit of both,” says Dowson. “My thanks go to Chris Boyd, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the experience they had as a collective is certainly one of the factors they are so united and so skilled.”

Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, an earlier coach at their stadium, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be coached by highly engaging people,” he says. “Mallinder had a big impact on my professional journey, my coaching, how I interact with individuals.”

Saints execute entertaining the game, which became obvious in the case of the French fly-half. The Frenchman was a member of the opposing team beaten in the European competition in April when Tommy Freeman registered a three tries. The player was impressed to such an extent to buck the pattern of UK players heading across the Channel.

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

‘He wants new challenges, for the chance to test himself,’ my friend informed me. That caught my attention. We had a conversation with him and his English was incredible, he was eloquent, he had a sense of humour.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He answered to be coached, to be challenged, to be facing unfamiliar situations and beyond the French league. I was thinking: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he proved to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson says the emerging Henry Pollock brings a particular energy. Does he know anyone similar? “No,” Dowson replies. “Everyone’s individual but Henry is distinct and special in many ways. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”

The player's spectacular score against Leinster in the past campaign showcased his exceptional ability, but some of his animated in-game actions have resulted in claims of arrogance.

“At times appears overconfident in his behavior, but he’s far from it,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore he's being serious the whole time. Game-wise he has contributions – he’s a smart player. I believe at times it’s shown that he’s merely a joker. But he’s bright and great to have in the squad.”

Hardly any directors of rugby would describe themselves as sharing a close bond with a colleague, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with Sam Vesty.

“Sam and I have an interest about different things,” he notes. “We have a reading group. He wants to see everything, aims to learn everything, aims to encounter varied activities, and I think I’m the alike.

“We converse on many topics outside the sport: cinema, reading, ideas, art. When we faced the Parisian club in the past season, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

A further date in France is approaching: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the domestic league will be short-lived because the Champions Cup intervenes next week. Their next opponents, in the shadow of the border region, are the opening fixture on the coming weekend before the Bulls travel to soon after.

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