🔗 Share this article

This English town isn't exactly the most tropical destination globally, but its squad delivers an abundance of romance and adventure.

In a place renowned for boot‑making, you might expect kicking to be the Saints’ primary strategy. However under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold opt to run with the ball.

Although representing a quintessentially English town, they exhibit a panache typical of the best French exponents of champagne rugby.

After Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have secured the English top flight and gone deep in the Champions Cup – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and eliminated by Leinster in a last-four clash previously.

They sit atop the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and travel to Ashton Gate on Saturday as the only unbeaten side, seeking a first win at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who participated in 262 premier games for various teams in total, had long intended to be a coach.

“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “However as you get older, you realise how much you enjoy the sport, and what the everyday life looks like. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You make the journey a few times, and it was challenging – you realise what you possess and lack.”

Talks with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a job at the Saints. Move forward several seasons and Dowson manages a roster ever more packed with internationals: prominent figures were selected for the Red Rose facing the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a significant influence from the replacements in the national team's flawless campaign while the fly-half, eventually, will inherit the No 10 jersey.

Is the emergence of this remarkable cohort due to the club's environment, or is it chance?

“It is a combination of the two,” states Dowson. “I would acknowledge an ex-coach, who basically just threw them in, and we had some tough days. But the exposure they had as a unit is undoubtedly one of the reasons they are so close-knit and so skilled.”

Dowson also namechecks Mallinder, another predecessor at their stadium, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be coached by exceptionally insightful individuals,” he says. “Mallinder had a big impact on my rugby life, my training methods, how I interact with people.”

The team play appealing rugby, which was clearly evident in the example of their new signing. The Gallic player was part of the French club defeated in the European competition in last season when Tommy Freeman notched a three tries. Belleau was impressed sufficiently to buck the pattern of British stars joining Top 14 sides.

“An associate phoned me and said: ‘We know of a fly-half from France who’s seeking a side,’” Dowson explains. “I said: ‘We don’t have funds for a overseas star. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He wants a fresh start, for the opportunity to prove his worth,’ my contact said. That interested me. We met with Anthony and his communication was excellent, he was eloquent, he had a witty personality.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He said to be trained, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and outside the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson says the emerging the flanker provides a unique enthusiasm. Has he coached an individual comparable? “Never,” Dowson replies. “Everyone’s individual but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be who he is.”

The player's sensational touchdown against the Irish side in the past campaign showcased his unusual talent, but various his animated on-field antics have led to accusations of overconfidence.

“He sometimes seems arrogant in his actions, but he’s far from it,” Dowson says. “And he's not taking the piss constantly. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s no fool. I think sometimes it’s depicted that he’s only a character. But he’s intelligent and good fun to have around.”

Not many directors of rugby would claim to have enjoying a tight friendship with a assistant, but that is how Dowson describes his partnership with his co-coach.

“Together have an inquisitiveness around diverse subjects,” he notes. “We maintain a reading group. He wants to see all aspects, aims to learn everything, aims to encounter new experiences, and I feel like I’m the same.

“We talk about numerous things away from the sport: cinema, books, ideas, creativity. When we played Stade [Français] last year, the cathedral was being done up, so we had a quick look.”

One more fixture in the French nation is coming up: The Saints' comeback with the Prem will be temporary because the European tournament intervenes shortly. Pau, in the foothills of the mountain range, are the opening fixture on matchday before the South African team visit soon after.

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