🔗 Share this article

This English town isn't exactly the most glamorous location globally, but its rugby union team delivers a great deal of thrills and drama.

In a town famous for footwear manufacturing, you might expect kicking to be the Northampton's main approach. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the team in green, black and gold opt to retain possession.

Despite representing a quintessentially English location, they exhibit a panache synonymous with the finest French practitioners of attacking rugby.

Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have secured the English top flight and gone deep in the continental tournament – losing to their Gallic opponents in the ultimate match and ousted by Dublin-based club in a semi-final before that.

They currently top the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to Bristol on matchday as the just one without a loss, seeking a initial success at Ashton Gate since 2021.

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

“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “However as you mature, you understand how much you love the rugby, and what the normal employment is like. I worked briefly at a financial institution doing work experience. You make the journey a multiple instances, and it was tough – you realise what you possess and lack.”

Conversations with former mentors culminated in a role at the Saints. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson leads a roster increasingly filled with national team players: key individuals lined up for England against the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a significant influence as a substitute in England’s flawless campaign while the number ten, down the line, will assume the No 10 jersey.

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

“It is a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “I would acknowledge Chris Boyd, who gave them opportunities, and we had difficult periods. But the practice they had as a group is undoubtedly one of the causes they are so united and so gifted.”

Dowson also namechecks Jim Mallinder, an earlier coach at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “It was my good fortune to be mentored by highly engaging individuals,” he notes. “He had a big impact on my career, my training methods, how I deal with people.”

The team demonstrate attractive football, which became obvious in the case of their new signing. The Gallic player was a member of the Clermont XV defeated in the continental tournament in last season when Tommy Freeman registered a three tries. The player liked what he saw enough to reverse the trend of British stars joining Top 14 sides.

“An associate phoned me and said: ‘We know of a fly-half from France who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson recalls. “My response was: ‘We lack the funds for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the chance to challenge himself,’ my contact informed me. That interested me. We met with Anthony and his English was incredible, he was articulate, he had a sense of humour.

“We asked: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He answered to be trained, to be pushed, to be in a new environment and away from the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson says the 20-year-old Henry Pollock brings a particular enthusiasm. Does he know anyone like him? “Never,” Dowson responds. “Everyone’s original but Henry is unusual and remarkable in many ways. He’s unafraid to be himself.”

The player's spectacular touchdown against their opponents in the past campaign demonstrated his exceptional ability, but a few of his animated on-field actions have led to claims of arrogance.

“On occasion comes across as arrogant in his actions, but he’s not,” Dowson says. “Plus Pollock is being serious all the time. Tactically he has input – he’s a smart player. I believe at times it’s depicted that he’s only a character. But he’s intelligent and a positive influence in the squad.”

Few managers would describe themselves as enjoying a tight friendship with a assistant, but that is how Dowson describes his partnership with Sam Vesty.

“Sam and I have an interest around diverse subjects,” he explains. “We run a literary circle. He aims to discover all aspects, aims to learn each detail, wants to experience new experiences, and I believe I’m the similar.

“We converse on numerous things beyond the sport: cinema, reading, concepts, art. When we met our French rivals previously, the cathedral was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”

Another date in the French nation is approaching: The Saints' comeback with the domestic league will be short-lived because the European tournament kicks in soon. The French side, in the vicinity of the border region, are the initial challenge on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club arrive at a week later.

“I refuse to be overconfident sufficiently to {