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Northampton may not be the most glamorous location in the world, but its squad provides plenty of thrills and drama.

In a place renowned for shoe production, you could anticipate kicking to be the Northampton's main approach. But under leader Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold prefer to keep ball in hand.

Even though playing for a typically British location, they display a flair typical of the greatest Gallic exponents of attacking rugby.

After 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 Bordeaux-Bègles in the ultimate match and eliminated by Dublin-based club in a penultimate round before that.

They currently top the league standings after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to their West Country rivals on the weekend as the sole undefeated team, seeking a initial success at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who featured in 262 top-flight fixtures for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, always planned to be a trainer.

“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “Yet as you age, you understand how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the real world looks like. I spent some time at a banking firm doing work experience. You travel to work a few times, and it was challenging – you see what you have going for you.”

Conversations with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder resulted in a job at the Saints. Jump ahead several seasons and Dowson leads a team ever more filled with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for England against the New Zealand two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a significant influence off the bench in the national team's successful series while the number ten, down the line, will take over the pivotal position.

Is the rise of this exceptional group due to the club's environment, or is it luck?

“It is a bit of both,” states Dowson. “I would acknowledge an ex-coach, who basically just threw them in, and we had some tough days. But the experience they had as a collective is undoubtedly one of the causes they are so united and so gifted.”

Dowson also cites his predecessor, an earlier coach at their stadium, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be guided by really interesting personalities,” he adds. “Jim had a major effect on my career, my training methods, how I manage people.”

Northampton play attractive the game, which proved literally true in the instance of their new signing. The import was involved with the opposing team defeated in the Champions Cup in April when Tommy Freeman notched a triple. Belleau was impressed sufficiently to buck the pattern of British stars joining Top 14 sides.

“A mate called me and remarked: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s looking for a club,’” Dowson says. “I replied: ‘We lack the funds for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He desires a fresh start, for the opportunity to prove his worth,’ my contact said. That intrigued us. We had a conversation with Belleau and his English was excellent, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He answered to be trained, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Join us, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he proved to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson states the emerging Henry Pollock provides a particular enthusiasm. Has he coached anyone comparable? “Not really,” Dowson answers. “Each person is original but Henry is unusual and remarkable in numerous aspects. He’s not afraid to be who he is.”

His breathtaking score against their opponents in the past campaign illustrated his unusual talent, but some of his expressive on-field behavior have resulted in allegations of cockiness.

“He sometimes appears arrogant in his actions, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson says. “And he's not taking the piss the whole time. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s not a clown. I feel sometimes it’s shown that he’s merely a joker. But he’s bright and a positive influence in the squad.”

Not many managers would describe themselves as sharing a close bond with a assistant, but that is how Dowson characterizes his connection with Sam Vesty.

“Together have an curiosity about diverse subjects,” he notes. “We run a literary circle. He wants to see everything, seeks to understand everything, aims to encounter new experiences, and I think I’m the alike.

“We converse on lots of topics beyond the sport: cinema, reading, thoughts, culture. When we met the Parisian club last year, Notre-Dame was under renovation, so we had a little wander around.”

A further fixture in Gall is coming up: Northampton’s return with the domestic league will be short-lived because the Champions Cup takes over shortly. Pau, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on the coming weekend before the Bulls travel to soon after.

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