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Northampton is hardly the most glamorous location globally, but its rugby union team provides plenty of thrills and drama.

In a city famous for shoe production, you could anticipate boot work to be the Saints’ modus operandi. However under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold choose to run with the ball.

Despite playing for a distinctly UK location, they exhibit a panache synonymous with the best Gallic exponents of champagne rugby.

After Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have secured the domestic league and gone deep in the continental tournament – beaten by a French side in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by Leinster 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, chasing a first win at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who participated in 262 top-flight games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester combined, had long intended to be a manager.

“When I played, I hadn't given it much thought,” he states. “But as you age, you realise how much you love the sport, and what the real world looks like. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You do the commute a several occasions, and it was tough – you realise what you do and don’t have.”

Talks with former mentors led to a position at Northampton. Jump ahead a decade and Dowson leads a roster ever more crammed with global stars: key individuals were selected for the national side versus the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a profound impact as a substitute in the national team's successful series while the fly-half, in time, will assume the No 10 jersey.

Is the development of this remarkable generation attributable to the team's ethos, or is it fortune?

“It's a mix of each,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to an ex-coach, who gave them opportunities, and we had challenging moments. But the exposure they had as a unit is certainly one of the causes they are so united and so gifted.”

Dowson also mentions Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at their stadium, as a significant mentor. “I’ve been fortunate to be coached by exceptionally insightful personalities,” he adds. “Mallinder had a big impact on my rugby life, my coaching, how I manage people.”

The team execute entertaining football, which became obvious in the case of the French fly-half. The Frenchman was part of the opposing team defeated in the Champions Cup in April when Freeman registered a triple. The player liked what he saw to such an extent to reverse the trend of UK players moving to France.

“An associate rang me and stated: ‘We've found a French 10 who’s seeking a club,’” Dowson says. “I replied: ‘There's no funds for a imported playmaker. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the chance to challenge himself,’ my contact said. That intrigued us. We spoke to Anthony and his English was excellent, he was eloquent, he had a sense of humour.

“We asked: ‘What do you want from this?’ He said to be trained, to be driven, to be outside his comfort zone and outside the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a great person.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson states the young Pollock offers a specific enthusiasm. Has he coached an individual similar? “Not really,” Dowson responds. “Each person is unique but he is distinct and special in multiple respects. He’s fearless to be himself.”

Pollock’s spectacular score against their opponents in the past campaign showcased his freakish ability, but various his expressive on-field antics have resulted in claims of cockiness.

“On occasion seems overconfident in his behavior, but he’s far from it,” Dowson says. “And he's being serious the whole time. Game-wise he has ideas – he’s not a clown. I feel on occasion it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s intelligent and great to have to have around.”

Not many directors of rugby would describe themselves as enjoying a tight friendship with a colleague, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with Vesty.

“Sam and I possess an inquisitiveness about different things,” he notes. “We maintain a reading group. He aims to discover everything, wants to know everything, wants to experience different things, and I feel like I’m the similar.

“We discuss many topics beyond rugby: films, books, ideas, culture. When we met our French rivals last year, the cathedral was under renovation, so we had a brief exploration.”

One more fixture in France is approaching: The Saints' comeback with the Prem will be temporary because the continental event intervenes shortly. Pau, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are up first on the coming weekend before the Bulls arrive at soon after.

“I won't be overconfident sufficiently to {