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This English town isn't exactly the most exotic destination in the world, but its club offers plenty of excitement and passion.

In a town famous for shoe production, you might expect boot work to be the Saints’ main approach. Yet under leader Phil Dowson, the side in their distinctive colors choose to retain possession.

Despite playing for a quintessentially English town, they exhibit a panache associated with the finest Gallic exponents of champagne rugby.

After Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have won the domestic league and advanced far in the Champions Cup – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a semi-final previously.

They lead the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and visit their West Country rivals on matchday as the sole undefeated team, seeking a initial success at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who played 262 premier games for various teams altogether, consistently aimed to be a trainer.

“When I played, I never seriously considered it,” he remarks. “Yet as you age, you understand how much you love the rugby, and what the normal employment looks like. I worked briefly at a banking firm doing a trial period. You travel to work a multiple instances, and it was challenging – you realise what you have going for you.”

Talks with club legends led to a position at Northampton. Move forward several seasons and Dowson manages a team ever more crammed with global stars: prominent figures lined up for the Red Rose facing the New Zealand two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a major effect off the bench in the national team's perfect autumn while the fly-half, in time, will take over the pivotal position.

Is the emergence of this exceptional group attributable to the Saints’ culture, or is it fortune?

“It's a bit of both,” states Dowson. “I would acknowledge an ex-coach, who basically just threw them in, and we had challenging moments. But the practice they had as a unit is undoubtedly one of the reasons they are so united and so gifted.”

Dowson also mentions his predecessor, an earlier coach at Franklin’s Gardens, as a major influence. “I’ve been fortunate to be mentored by really interesting individuals,” he says. “He had a big impact on my rugby life, my training methods, how I deal with people.”

The team demonstrate entertaining the game, which was clearly evident in the case of the French fly-half. The Gallic player was part of the opposing team overcome in the continental tournament in the spring when Tommy Freeman registered a three tries. Belleau admired the style to such an extent to reverse the trend of British stars moving to France.

“A friend rang me and said: ‘We've found a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a club,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘We don’t have funds for a overseas star. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He desires a fresh start, for the chance to test himself,’ my mate informed me. That intrigued us. We met with Belleau and his language skills was outstanding, he was well-spoken, he had a funny side.

“We asked: ‘What do you want from this?’ He said to be coached, to be driven, to be outside his comfort zone and outside the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he proved to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the young Pollock provides a specific vitality. Does he know anyone like him? “Not really,” Dowson answers. “Each person is original but Henry is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be himself.”

The player's sensational touchdown against their opponents previously showcased his freakish ability, but various his expressive during matches behavior have led to allegations of overconfidence.

“At times seems arrogant in his behavior, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson asserts. “And Pollock is not taking the piss the whole time. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s no fool. I feel at times it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s clever and great to have to have around.”

Few coaches would describe themselves as sharing a close bond with a colleague, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with his co-coach.

“Sam and I have an curiosity about various topics,” he notes. “We maintain a literary circle. He wants to see various elements, wants to know everything, aims to encounter different things, and I think I’m the same.

“We discuss numerous topics outside the sport: movies, reading, concepts, creativity. When we faced Stade [Français] last year, the cathedral was undergoing restoration, so we had a little wander around.”

A further match in the French nation is looming: Northampton’s comeback with the domestic league will be short-lived because the Champions Cup kicks in soon. Pau, in the shadow of the border region, are up first on Sunday week before the South African team travel to a week later.

“I refuse to be presumptuous sufficiently to {