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This English town isn't exactly the most exotic location on the planet, but its rugby union team provides an abundance of romance and adventure.

In a place renowned for shoe production, you might expect punting to be the Saints’ main approach. However under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold opt to keep ball in hand.

Although embodying a distinctly UK location, they exhibit a flair synonymous with the greatest Gallic exponents of champagne rugby.

From the time Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have won the English top flight and gone deep in the Champions Cup – beaten by Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and eliminated by Leinster in a last-four clash earlier.

They currently top the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and head to Bristol on matchday as the just one without a loss, seeking a initial success at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who participated in 262 top-flight fixtures for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, always planned to be a coach.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “Yet as you mature, you comprehend how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the normal employment looks like. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing an internship. You travel to work a multiple instances, and it was difficult – you see what you have going for you.”

Talks with club legends led to a job at Northampton. Fast-forward eight years and Dowson guides a squad progressively crammed with national team players: 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 major effect from the replacements in the national team's perfect autumn while the number ten, eventually, will assume the fly-half role.

Is the development of this exceptional generation attributable to the Saints’ culture, or is it chance?

“It's a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to the former director of rugby, who basically just threw them in, and we had challenging moments. But the practice they had as a group is undoubtedly one of the reasons they are so tight and so skilled.”

Dowson also namechecks Mallinder, a former boss at the club's home, as a major influence. “I’ve been fortunate to be mentored by really interesting people,” he adds. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my career, my management style, how I manage individuals.”

Saints play entertaining rugby, which was clearly evident in the instance of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was involved with the Clermont XV beaten in the European competition in last season when Tommy Freeman scored a three tries. He admired the style enough to buck the pattern of British stars moving to France.

“An associate phoned me and said: ‘There’s a fly-half from France who’s seeking a side,’” Dowson says. “My response was: ‘We don’t have budget for a French fly-half. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my contact told me. That interested me. We spoke to Belleau and his communication was excellent, he was well-spoken, he had a funny side.

“We asked: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be guided, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and away from the domestic competition. I was saying: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he has been. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson says the young Henry Pollock brings a unique vitality. Has he coached anyone comparable? “No,” Dowson answers. “All players are unique but Pollock is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”

His breathtaking touchdown against their opponents last season illustrated his unusual talent, but some of his expressive during matches behavior have resulted in accusations of cockiness.

“He sometimes comes across as overconfident in his behavior, but he’s far from it,” Dowson says. “And Pollock is not joking around all the time. Game-wise he has contributions – he’s not a clown. I think on occasion it’s portrayed that he’s only a character. But he’s intelligent and good fun to have around.”

Few managers would claim to have enjoying a tight friendship with a colleague, but that is how Dowson characterizes his partnership with Vesty.

“We both have an inquisitiveness about diverse subjects,” he says. “We have a book club. He wants to see various elements, aims to learn everything, desires to try varied activities, and I feel like I’m the same.

“We converse on numerous subjects away from the sport: movies, literature, thoughts, culture. When we played our French rivals in the past season, the cathedral was being done up, so we had a little wander around.”

One more fixture in the French nation is looming: The Saints' reacquaintance with the Prem will be brief because the Champions Cup takes over shortly. The French side, in the foothills of the mountain range, are the initial challenge on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club visit the following weekend.

“I won't be presumptuous enough to {