🔗 Share this article

This English town is hardly the most glamorous location in the world, but its squad offers a great deal of excitement and passion.

In a city famous for boot‑making, you might expect boot work to be the Saints’ main approach. However under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in the club's hues prefer to keep ball in hand.

Although playing for a typically British community, they exhibit a style associated with the best Gallic practitioners of champagne rugby.

Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the English top flight and progressed well in the Champions Cup – defeated by a French side in the previous campaign's decider and ousted by Dublin-based club in a last-four clash earlier.

They sit atop the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and visit Bristol on Saturday as the sole undefeated team, chasing a first win at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who played 262 premier matches for multiple clubs combined, had long intended to be a coach.

“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he states. “However as you mature, you understand how much you appreciate the rugby, and what the normal employment looks like. I worked briefly at Metro Bank doing work experience. You travel to work a few times, and it was tough – you realise what you do and don’t have.”

Discussions with former mentors led to a position at Northampton. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson leads a roster ever more filled with global stars: key individuals lined up for the Red Rose versus the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a profound impact as a substitute in England’s flawless campaign while Fin Smith, in time, will inherit the pivotal position.

Is the emergence of this outstanding generation attributable to the club's environment, or is it fortune?

“It is a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “My thanks go to Chris Boyd, who gave them opportunities, and we had challenging moments. But the exposure they had as a unit is definitely one of the factors they are so close-knit and so talented.”

Dowson also namechecks his predecessor, an earlier coach at Franklin’s Gardens, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be mentored by highly engaging individuals,” he notes. “Jim had a big impact on my professional journey, my coaching, how I interact with individuals.”

Saints play attractive rugby, which became obvious in the instance of Anthony Belleau. The import was a member of the French club beaten in the continental tournament in April when Freeman scored a three tries. Belleau admired the style sufficiently to buck the pattern of British stars joining Top 14 sides.

“A friend phoned me and remarked: ‘We've found a Gallic number ten who’s seeking a side,’” Dowson recalls. “I replied: ‘There's no budget for a French fly-half. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He desires experience, for the chance to prove his worth,’ my mate informed me. That intrigued us. We met with Anthony and his communication was outstanding, he was eloquent, he had a witty personality.

“We asked: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He said to be trained, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and away from the domestic competition. I was like: ‘Join us, you’re a great person.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson says the emerging Henry Pollock offers a unique enthusiasm. Has he encountered anyone like him? “Not really,” Dowson answers. “All players are individual but Pollock is different and unique in numerous aspects. He’s fearless to be himself.”

His sensational try against the Irish side last season showcased his unusual skill, but various his demonstrative in-game actions have resulted in accusations of overconfidence.

“At times comes across as arrogant in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson says. “Plus he's not joking around constantly. Game-wise he has input – he’s a smart player. I believe at times it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s intelligent and a positive influence within the team.”

Few coaches would claim to have sharing a close bond with a head coach, but that is how Dowson characterizes his relationship with Sam Vesty.

“We both possess an inquisitiveness about various topics,” he explains. “We maintain a book club. He wants to see various elements, wants to know each detail, aims to encounter new experiences, and I believe I’m the similar.

“We talk about many subjects beyond rugby: films, reading, thoughts, art. When we played the Parisian club previously, the cathedral was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

One more fixture in Gall is looming: Northampton’s return with the English competition will be short-lived because the Champions Cup kicks in next week. Pau, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, are up first on the coming weekend before the South African team arrive at the following weekend.

“I won't be overconfident enough to {