🔗 Share this article

Northampton isn't exactly the most tropical destination in the world, but its club provides plenty of romance and adventure.

In a town renowned for footwear manufacturing, you would think punting to be the Saints’ main approach. However under leader Phil Dowson, the team in green, black and gold opt to run with the ball.

Although embodying a typically British community, they exhibit a style associated with the greatest French practitioners of expansive play.

From the time Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have won the domestic league and advanced far in the continental tournament – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and eliminated by Leinster in a penultimate round before that.

They lead the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to Bristol on Saturday as the only unbeaten side, aiming for a maiden victory at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 top-flight matches for multiple clubs altogether, had long intended to be a coach.

“When I played, I never seriously considered it,” he says. “However as you age, you understand how much you love the sport, and what the everyday life entails. I had a stint at a banking firm doing a trial period. You travel to work a multiple instances, and it was difficult – you grasp what you have going for you.”

Talks with former mentors resulted in a job at Northampton. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson leads a team progressively filled with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles lined up for the national side against the All Blacks two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a major effect off the bench in England’s flawless campaign while the fly-half, down the line, will take over the fly-half role.

Is the development of this outstanding generation because of the team's ethos, or is it chance?

“This is a bit of both,” says Dowson. “I would acknowledge an ex-coach, who gave them opportunities, and we had challenging moments. But the experience they had as a collective is definitely one of the reasons they are so close-knit and so gifted.”

Dowson also cites his predecessor, a former boss at the club's home, as a key figure. “It was my good fortune to be guided by highly engaging people,” he adds. “He had a significant influence on my rugby life, my training methods, how I interact with others.”

Saints execute entertaining rugby, which was clearly evident in the case of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was part of the opposing team beaten in the continental tournament in last season when the winger scored a three tries. The player admired the style enough to go against the flow of British stars joining Top 14 sides.

“A mate called me and stated: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘We don’t have funds for a overseas star. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He wants new challenges, for the possibility to prove his worth,’ my contact informed me. That intrigued us. We met with Anthony and his language skills was incredible, he was eloquent, he had a funny side.

“We inquired: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He answered to be guided, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and away from the Top 14. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he proved to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson comments the 20-year-old Henry Pollock provides a particular energy. Has he coached a player like him? “No,” Dowson responds. “Everyone’s original but Pollock is different and unique in many ways. He’s fearless to be himself.”

Pollock’s sensational touchdown against the Irish side previously demonstrated his unusual skill, but various his animated in-game actions have led to allegations of cockiness.

“He sometimes comes across as arrogant in his actions, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore he's not joking around all the time. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s no fool. I believe sometimes it’s shown that he’s merely a joker. But he’s clever and great to have in the squad.”

Not many coaches would admit to having a bromance with a head coach, but that is how Dowson characterizes his partnership with Vesty.

“We both share an interest around different things,” he explains. “We have a reading group. He desires to explore various elements, seeks to understand each detail, wants to experience different things, and I think I’m the alike.

“We discuss many things away from the game: cinema, books, concepts, creativity. When we met our French rivals previously, the cathedral was under renovation, so we had a little wander around.”

One more match in Gall is approaching: Northampton’s return with the domestic league will be temporary because the continental event takes over next week. Pau, in the vicinity of the border region, are the initial challenge on the coming weekend before the Pretoria-based club arrive at a week later.

“I refuse to be presumptuous sufficiently to {