🔗 Share this article

This English town may not be the most exotic location in the world, but its club offers a great deal of romance and adventure.

In a place famous for footwear manufacturing, you would think punting to be the Saints’ primary strategy. Yet under leader Phil Dowson, the team in the club's hues opt to retain possession.

Despite playing for a quintessentially English location, they display a panache synonymous with the best Gallic practitioners of champagne rugby.

From the time Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have won the Premiership and progressed well in the continental tournament – beaten by Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and eliminated by the Irish province in a semi-final before that.

They sit atop the league standings after four wins and a draw and travel to Ashton Gate on matchday as the only unbeaten side, seeking a first win at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who participated in 262 elite matches for various teams combined, always planned to be a coach.

“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “Yet as you age, you comprehend how much you love the sport, and what the real world entails. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You do the commute a several occasions, and it was challenging – you grasp what you have going for you.”

Talks with former mentors led to a position at the Saints. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson leads a squad ever more filled with national team players: key individuals were selected for the Red Rose against the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a significant influence from the replacements in the national team's flawless campaign while the fly-half, in time, will inherit the pivotal position.

Is the rise of this outstanding group attributable to the team's ethos, or is it luck?

“This is a mix of each,” states Dowson. “My thanks go to an ex-coach, who basically just threw them in, and we had challenging moments. But the exposure they had as a unit is certainly one of the causes they are so close-knit and so skilled.”

Dowson also mentions his predecessor, another predecessor at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “It was my good fortune to be coached by really interesting individuals,” he adds. “Mallinder had a major effect on my professional journey, my coaching, how I interact with people.”

Saints execute attractive the game, which became obvious in the case of the French fly-half. The import was a member of the French club beaten in the Champions Cup in last season when Tommy Freeman registered a three tries. The player liked what he saw to such an extent to buck the pattern of UK players moving to France.

“A friend phoned me and remarked: ‘We've found a Gallic number ten who’s looking for a team,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘We lack the budget for a imported playmaker. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He wants a fresh start, for the possibility to test himself,’ my friend informed me. That caught my attention. We had a conversation with Anthony and his English was outstanding, he was well-spoken, he had a funny side.

“We inquired: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He said to be guided, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and beyond the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he has been. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson comments the young Pollock brings a unique enthusiasm. Does he know anyone similar? “Never,” Dowson answers. “All players are unique but he is unusual and remarkable in numerous aspects. He’s not afraid to be himself.”

The player's spectacular try against the Irish side previously showcased his exceptional skill, but various his animated during matches behavior have led to allegations of arrogance.

“At times seems cocky in his behavior, but he’s not,” Dowson asserts. “Furthermore Henry’s not taking the piss the whole time. In terms of strategy he has contributions – he’s not a clown. I believe sometimes it’s depicted that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and great to have to have around.”

Few directors of rugby would admit to sharing a close bond with a colleague, but that is how Dowson describes his partnership with Sam Vesty.

“Sam and I possess an curiosity around different things,” he says. “We run a reading group. He aims to discover everything, seeks to understand all there is, desires to try different things, and I think I’m the alike.

“We discuss lots of subjects away from the game: movies, reading, ideas, art. When we faced the Parisian club last year, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

A further match in the French nation is approaching: Northampton’s return with the English competition will be temporary because the Champions Cup kicks in soon. The French side, in the vicinity of the border region, are up first on matchday before the Pretoria-based club travel to a week later.

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