🔗 Share this article

Northampton is hardly the most tropical spot globally, but its squad offers an abundance of excitement and passion.

In a city famous for boot‑making, you would think punting to be the Saints’ modus operandi. Yet under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold choose to retain possession.

Even though embodying a quintessentially English town, they showcase a panache synonymous with the greatest Gallic practitioners of attacking rugby.

Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the domestic league and advanced far in the European competition – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by the Irish province in a penultimate round before that.

They lead the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and head to their West Country rivals on matchday as the only unbeaten side, chasing a maiden victory at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who participated in 262 elite games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester combined, always planned to be a trainer.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “However as you age, you understand how much you appreciate the game, and what the everyday life looks like. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing work experience. You travel to work a few times, and it was tough – you grasp what you do and don’t have.”

Talks with club legends culminated in a position at Northampton. Move forward a decade and Dowson manages a squad increasingly crammed with global stars: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for England versus the All Blacks two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a profound impact from the replacements in England’s perfect autumn while the fly-half, in time, will inherit the No 10 jersey.

Is the development of this outstanding group due to the club's environment, or is it chance?

“It is a bit of both,” states Dowson. “My thanks go to an ex-coach, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the experience they had as a collective is definitely one of the causes they are so close-knit and so gifted.”

Dowson also mentions his predecessor, a former boss at their stadium, as a major influence. “It was my good fortune to be guided by really interesting people,” he adds. “Jim had a big impact on my career, my management style, how I manage individuals.”

Saints execute appealing the game, which became obvious in the example of the French fly-half. The Gallic player was a member of the French club beaten in the Champions Cup in April when the winger notched a triple. The player admired the style enough to reverse the trend of UK players heading across the Channel.

“An associate phoned me and said: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s in search of a club,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘There's no money for a overseas star. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the possibility to prove his worth,’ my mate told me. That interested me. We spoke to Belleau and his English was outstanding, he was articulate, he had a sense of humour.

“We asked: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He said to be coached, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he turned out to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson comments the young Henry Pollock brings a unique enthusiasm. Has he encountered an individual comparable? “Never,” Dowson replies. “Everyone’s original but he is different and unique in numerous aspects. He’s not afraid to be who he is.”

His spectacular try against Leinster in the past campaign illustrated his freakish talent, but a few of his demonstrative in-game antics have led to allegations of cockiness.

“At times seems arrogant in his actions, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson says. “And Henry’s not taking the piss the whole time. Tactically he has ideas – he’s no fool. I believe at times it’s depicted that he’s merely a joker. But he’s clever and good fun in the squad.”

Few directors of rugby would describe themselves as having a bromance with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his partnership with his co-coach.

“We both possess an inquisitiveness around various topics,” he notes. “We have a book club. He aims to discover everything, wants to know everything, aims to encounter different things, and I feel like I’m the alike.

“We discuss lots of subjects away from rugby: cinema, reading, ideas, culture. When we played the Parisian club in the past season, the landmark was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”

One more date in the French nation is approaching: Northampton’s return with the Prem will be temporary because the Champions Cup kicks in shortly. Pau, in the vicinity of the mountain range, are the initial challenge on matchday before the South African team visit soon after.

“I’m not going to be presumptuous sufficiently to {