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This English town is hardly the most glamorous destination on the planet, but its rugby union team delivers an abundance of excitement and passion.

In a city known for footwear manufacturing, you might expect boot work to be the Northampton's primary strategy. But under leader Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors prefer to retain possession.

Even though embodying a distinctly UK community, they display a panache synonymous with the finest French masters of expansive play.

Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the English top flight and gone deep in the European competition – beaten by a French side in the previous campaign's decider and ousted by Leinster in a last-four clash earlier.

They currently top the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and travel to their West Country rivals on matchday as the just one without a loss, chasing a initial success at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who played 262 elite matches for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, consistently aimed to be a coach.

“During my career, I never seriously considered it,” he says. “However as you age, you comprehend how much you appreciate the sport, and what the normal employment entails. I spent some time at a banking firm doing an internship. You make the journey a few times, and it was challenging – you see what you possess and lack.”

Talks with club legends culminated in a job at the Saints. Move forward eight years and Dowson leads a squad increasingly crammed with global stars: key individuals started for England facing the New Zealand two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a profound impact as a substitute in the national team's flawless campaign while Fin Smith, down the line, will assume the pivotal position.

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

“It is a mix of each,” says Dowson. “I would acknowledge Chris Boyd, who thrust them into action, and we had some tough days. But the exposure they had as a collective is certainly one of the reasons they are so united and so skilled.”

Dowson also mentions his predecessor, a former boss at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “It was my good fortune to be mentored by exceptionally insightful personalities,” he adds. “He had a significant influence on my career, my management style, how I interact with people.”

Saints demonstrate entertaining the game, which was clearly evident in the instance of the French fly-half. The import was part of the French club defeated in the European competition in April when Tommy Freeman notched a three tries. He liked what he saw sufficiently to go against the flow of UK players moving to France.

“A friend phoned me and said: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘We lack the funds for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for new challenges, for the opportunity to test himself,’ my friend informed me. That interested me. We met with Belleau and his language skills was outstanding, he was articulate, he had a funny side.

“We asked: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He answered to be guided, to be challenged, to be outside his comfort zone and outside the French league. I was saying: ‘Join us, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he has been. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson comments the emerging the flanker offers a particular energy. Has he encountered anyone comparable? “Never,” Dowson responds. “Each person is unique but he is distinct and special in many ways. He’s unafraid to be authentic.”

The player's sensational try against Leinster in the past campaign demonstrated his exceptional talent, but some of his expressive on-field antics have led to claims of cockiness.

“He sometimes appears cocky in his conduct, but he’s far from it,” Dowson asserts. “And Henry’s not taking the piss the whole time. Game-wise he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I believe sometimes it’s portrayed that he’s just this idiot. But he’s clever and a positive influence to have around.”

Not many coaches would claim to have enjoying a tight friendship with a head coach, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with his co-coach.

“We both share an curiosity around diverse subjects,” he says. “We maintain a literary circle. He wants to see everything, aims to learn all there is, desires to try new experiences, and I think I’m the alike.

“We talk about lots of topics away from the sport: movies, literature, concepts, art. When we faced Stade [Français] last year, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

One more fixture in the French nation is approaching: Northampton’s return with the Prem will be temporary because the European tournament kicks in soon. Their next opponents, in the foothills of the border region, are the opening fixture on matchday before the Bulls travel to the following weekend.

“I’m not going to be overconfident enough to {