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Northampton may not be the most tropical destination in the world, but its rugby union team delivers a great deal of romance and adventure.

In a city famous for shoe production, you would think boot work to be the Northampton's modus operandi. However under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in green, black and gold choose to keep ball in hand.

Although representing a quintessentially English location, they exhibit a panache synonymous with the best French practitioners of attacking rugby.

After Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have won the Premiership and progressed well in the Champions Cup – losing to their Gallic opponents in the ultimate match and ousted by Dublin-based club in a semi-final previously.

They currently top the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and travel to Ashton Gate on matchday as the just one without a loss, seeking a first win at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 elite fixtures for multiple clubs in total, had long intended to be a coach.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “However as you get older, you comprehend how much you appreciate the sport, and what the everyday life is like. I had a stint at a banking firm doing an internship. You make the journey a few times, and it was tough – you grasp what you have going for you.”

Conversations with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a role at the Saints. Fast-forward a decade and Dowson manages a roster ever more crammed with internationals: prominent figures started for England facing the All Blacks two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a significant influence as a substitute in England’s successful series while Fin Smith, in time, will inherit the pivotal position.

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

“It's a mix of each,” states Dowson. “I would acknowledge an ex-coach, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the practice they had as a group is certainly one of the factors they are so united and so talented.”

Dowson also mentions Mallinder, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be guided by really interesting personalities,” he adds. “Mallinder had a big impact on my professional journey, my training methods, how I interact with people.”

Northampton demonstrate appealing rugby, which became obvious in the instance of their new signing. The Gallic player was involved with the Clermont XV beaten in the Champions Cup in the spring when Tommy Freeman notched a triple. Belleau was impressed enough to go against the flow of UK players moving to France.

“A mate phoned me and said: ‘We've found a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson explains. “I said: ‘We don’t have money for a French fly-half. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for a fresh start, for the possibility to test himself,’ my friend said. That caught my attention. We had a conversation with him and his language skills was excellent, he was eloquent, he had a sense of humour.

“We inquired: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He responded to be trained, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and away from the domestic competition. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he has been. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the 20-year-old Pollock brings a particular enthusiasm. Has he coached a player like him? “Never,” Dowson answers. “All players are unique but Henry is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s fearless to be who he is.”

The player's spectacular try against Leinster last season showcased his unusual skill, but various his expressive on-field behavior have led to accusations of overconfidence.

“He sometimes comes across as overconfident in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “Plus Pollock is not taking the piss the whole time. Tactically he has contributions – he’s a smart player. I feel at times it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s clever and great to have in the squad.”

Hardly any directors of rugby would describe themselves as sharing a close bond with a colleague, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with Sam Vesty.

“Sam and I share an interest about diverse subjects,” he notes. “We maintain a reading group. He aims to discover various elements, aims to learn everything, wants to experience different things, and I believe I’m the similar.

“We talk about numerous topics outside rugby: films, reading, ideas, creativity. When we faced our French rivals in the past season, Notre-Dame was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”

One more match in Gall is coming up: Northampton’s comeback with the Prem will be brief because the Champions Cup intervenes shortly. Their next opponents, in the shadow of the mountain range, are up first on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club visit a week later.

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