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Northampton may not be the most tropical destination globally, but its rugby union team offers plenty of excitement and passion.

In a place famous for boot‑making, you could anticipate boot work to be the Saints’ modus operandi. However under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold prefer to run with the ball.

Despite embodying a distinctly UK location, they exhibit a style associated with the best Gallic practitioners of attacking rugby.

Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have won the domestic league and progressed well in the continental tournament – defeated by Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and ousted by the Irish province in a semi-final earlier.

They currently top the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and visit Bristol on Saturday as the only unbeaten side, seeking a maiden victory at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 premier fixtures for various teams altogether, always planned to be a coach.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “But as you mature, you understand how much you love the game, and what the real world looks like. I worked briefly at a banking firm doing a trial period. You make the journey a few times, and it was difficult – you see what you do and don’t have.”

Conversations with former mentors culminated in a job at Northampton. Jump ahead a decade and Dowson manages a squad increasingly filled with internationals: key individuals were selected for the Red Rose versus the All Blacks two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a major effect from the replacements in the national team's perfect autumn while the number ten, down the line, will take over the fly-half role.

Is the emergence of this outstanding group attributable to the club's environment, or is it chance?

“This is a mix of each,” says Dowson. “I’d credit an ex-coach, who basically just threw them in, and we had difficult periods. But the practice they had as a group is definitely one of the reasons they are so tight and so skilled.”

Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, an earlier coach at their stadium, as a significant mentor. “It was my good fortune to be coached by highly engaging personalities,” he says. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my career, my training methods, how I interact with others.”

The team play entertaining rugby, which proved literally true in the example of Anthony Belleau. The Frenchman was part of the French club overcome in the Champions Cup in the spring when the winger scored a three tries. Belleau liked what he saw to such an extent to buck the pattern of English talent heading across the Channel.

“A friend rang me and stated: ‘There’s a fly-half from France who’s in search of a team,’” Dowson explains. “My response was: ‘There's no budget for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the opportunity to prove his worth,’ my mate informed me. That caught my attention. We spoke to Belleau and his communication was excellent, he was eloquent, he had a funny side.

“We questioned: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He said to be guided, to be pushed, to be facing unfamiliar situations and beyond the domestic competition. I was like: ‘Come on in, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he turned out to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the young the flanker brings a unique enthusiasm. Has he encountered a player similar? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “Everyone’s individual but Henry is unusual and remarkable in numerous aspects. He’s fearless to be who he is.”

The player's sensational touchdown against the Irish side previously illustrated his freakish ability, but various his expressive in-game behavior have led to claims of cockiness.

“At times comes across as cocky in his actions, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “Plus Pollock is not taking the piss the whole time. Game-wise he has input – he’s a smart player. I think sometimes it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s intelligent and great to have to have around.”

Hardly any managers would describe themselves as having a bromance with a head coach, but that is how Dowson describes his connection with Sam Vesty.

“Sam and I share an interest about various topics,” he notes. “We have a book club. He wants to see all aspects, wants to know everything, aims to encounter varied activities, and I believe I’m the similar.

“We discuss lots of subjects outside the sport: movies, literature, ideas, creativity. When we faced Stade [Français] last year, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a little wander around.”

A further match in France is coming up: The Saints' return with the domestic league will be short-lived because the continental event intervenes soon. The French side, in the shadow of the mountain range, are up first on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club travel to the following weekend.

“I refuse to be overconfident to the extent to {