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Northampton is hardly the most exotic location on the planet, but its club provides plenty of thrills and drama.

In a place known for shoe production, you would think kicking to be the Northampton's primary strategy. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the team in the club's hues prefer to run with the ball.

Even though embodying a quintessentially English location, they exhibit a panache typical of the finest Gallic masters of attacking rugby.

From the time Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have secured the English top flight and progressed well in the continental tournament – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and eliminated by the Irish province in a penultimate round earlier.

They lead the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and visit Bristol on matchday as the just one without a loss, seeking a maiden victory at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 top-flight fixtures for various teams combined, always planned to be a trainer.

“During my career, I didn't really think about it,” he remarks. “However as you age, you understand how much you enjoy the sport, and what the normal employment is like. I worked briefly at Metro Bank doing an internship. You do the commute a few times, and it was challenging – you grasp what you have going for you.”

Conversations with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a role at the Saints. Fast-forward eight years and Dowson leads a team ever more crammed with global stars: key individuals were selected for the Red Rose versus the New Zealand two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a profound impact from the replacements in England’s perfect autumn while Fin Smith, eventually, will inherit the No 10 jersey.

Is the emergence of this outstanding cohort because of the club's environment, or is it fortune?

“It is a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “I would acknowledge an ex-coach, who gave them opportunities, and we had difficult periods. But the practice they had as a group is undoubtedly one of the reasons they are so close-knit and so skilled.”

Dowson also namechecks his predecessor, a former boss at Franklin’s Gardens, as a major influence. “I was lucky to be guided by exceptionally insightful individuals,” he adds. “He had a significant influence on my professional journey, my coaching, how I interact with individuals.”

Northampton play appealing football, which became obvious in the instance of their new signing. The Frenchman was involved with the French club beaten in the continental tournament in the spring when Freeman scored a three tries. Belleau liked what he saw enough to go against the flow of British stars moving to France.

“A friend rang me and remarked: ‘We know of a fly-half from France who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘We don’t have funds for a French fly-half. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for new challenges, for the possibility to prove his worth,’ my mate told me. That interested me. We met with Anthony and his communication was excellent, he was articulate, he had a sense of humour.

“We asked: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He said to be guided, to be pushed, to be facing unfamiliar situations and beyond the French league. I was saying: ‘Join us, you’re a great person.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson says the 20-year-old Pollock offers a unique energy. Has he coached an individual like him? “No,” Dowson answers. “Everyone’s original but he is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s fearless to be himself.”

The player's breathtaking score against their opponents in the past campaign demonstrated his unusual talent, but various his demonstrative in-game actions have resulted in accusations of arrogance.

“He sometimes appears cocky in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson says. “Furthermore Pollock is not joking around constantly. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I feel at times it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s intelligent and a positive influence in the squad.”

Not many directors of rugby would claim to have having a bromance with a head coach, but that is how Dowson describes his relationship with Vesty.

“We both possess an inquisitiveness about various topics,” he notes. “We run a reading group. He desires to explore everything, aims to learn all there is, wants to experience varied activities, and I feel like I’m the alike.

“We converse on numerous things away from the sport: films, books, ideas, creativity. When we faced the Parisian club last year, the cathedral was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”

Another match in France is approaching: Northampton’s return with the Prem will be brief because the European tournament kicks in next week. The French side, in the shadow of the border region, are the initial challenge on Sunday week before the South African team travel to a week later.

“I won't be arrogant to the extent to {