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Northampton is hardly the most glamorous spot in the world, but its squad offers a great deal of thrills and drama.

In a place famous for footwear manufacturing, you might expect punting to be the Northampton's primary strategy. Yet under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold prefer to run with the ball.

Although representing a quintessentially English town, they exhibit a panache synonymous with the best French practitioners of champagne rugby.

From the time Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have won the English top flight and progressed well in the Champions Cup – defeated by a French side in the ultimate match and knocked out by the Irish province in a semi-final earlier.

They lead the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and visit their West Country rivals on Saturday as the sole undefeated team, chasing a initial success at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who featured in 262 top-flight matches for various teams in total, had long intended to be a trainer.

“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he remarks. “However as you mature, you comprehend how much you enjoy the game, and what the normal employment looks like. I had a stint at a banking firm doing work experience. You make the journey a few times, and it was tough – you realise what you possess and lack.”

Discussions with former mentors led to a job at the Saints. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson manages a squad ever more packed with global stars: prominent figures started for England versus the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a profound impact off the bench in the national team's flawless campaign while Fin Smith, eventually, will assume the fly-half role.

Is the rise of this exceptional group due to the team's ethos, or is it chance?

“It's a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “I would acknowledge the former director of rugby, who basically just threw them in, and we had challenging moments. But the exposure they had as a collective is undoubtedly one of the causes they are so united and so gifted.”

Dowson also mentions Mallinder, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be guided by exceptionally insightful personalities,” he says. “Mallinder had a big impact on my rugby life, my management style, how I interact with individuals.”

Saints play attractive football, which was clearly evident in the instance of the French fly-half. The import was involved with the French club defeated in the European competition in last season when the winger scored a hat-trick. He was impressed enough to reverse the trend of British stars moving to France.

“A mate called me and stated: ‘We know of a fly-half from France who’s seeking a side,’” Dowson says. “I replied: ‘There's no funds for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for a fresh start, for the possibility to prove his worth,’ my mate told me. That interested me. We had a conversation with Belleau and his English was incredible, he was eloquent, he had a funny side.

“We questioned: ‘What do you want from this?’ He said to be guided, to be pushed, to be facing unfamiliar situations and away from the Top 14. I was like: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson comments the emerging Pollock offers a specific vitality. Has he encountered an individual similar? “Never,” Dowson replies. “Each person is original but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be who he is.”

The player's breathtaking score against the Irish side in the past campaign demonstrated his exceptional talent, but a few of his expressive during matches behavior have led to allegations of cockiness.

“He sometimes seems overconfident in his behavior, but he’s not,” Dowson asserts. “Plus he's not joking around constantly. In terms of strategy he has contributions – he’s not a clown. I feel sometimes it’s depicted that he’s just this idiot. But he’s clever and great to have in the squad.”

Few coaches would claim to have enjoying a tight friendship with a head coach, but that is how Dowson characterizes his connection with Vesty.

“We both have an curiosity around different things,” he explains. “We run a book club. He desires to explore everything, seeks to understand each detail, aims to encounter varied activities, and I feel like I’m the alike.

“We converse on numerous subjects away from the sport: cinema, reading, ideas, culture. When we met Stade [Français] last year, the landmark was being done up, so we had a little wander around.”

One more date in the French nation is looming: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the English competition will be temporary because the continental event kicks in next week. Pau, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are up first on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club arrive at a week later.

“I refuse to be overconfident sufficiently to {