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This English town is hardly the most tropical destination on the planet, but its club delivers a great deal of excitement and passion.

In a city known for shoe production, you might expect boot work to be the Saints’ modus operandi. However under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in the club's hues choose to run with the ball.

Even though representing a quintessentially English location, they exhibit a flair associated with the finest Gallic masters of expansive play.

After Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have won the English top flight and gone deep in the European competition – defeated by Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and eliminated by the Irish province in a semi-final before that.

They sit atop the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and travel to their West Country rivals on matchday as the just one without a loss, seeking a initial success at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who played 262 premier fixtures for various teams in total, always planned to be a manager.

“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “But as you get older, you comprehend how much you love the sport, and what the everyday life looks like. I spent some time at a financial institution doing an internship. You make the journey a several occasions, and it was difficult – you grasp what you have going for you.”

Discussions with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder resulted in a role at Northampton. Jump ahead several seasons and Dowson manages a team progressively filled with national team players: prominent figures started for the Red Rose facing the All Blacks two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a profound impact as a substitute in England’s successful series while the number ten, eventually, will assume the pivotal position.

Is the development of this remarkable cohort because of the club's environment, or is it chance?

“It is a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who gave them opportunities, and we had difficult periods. But the practice they had as a group is definitely one of the causes they are so close-knit and so talented.”

Dowson also namechecks Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “It was my good fortune to be guided by really interesting people,” he adds. “Mallinder had a major effect on my career, my management style, how I manage people.”

The team demonstrate appealing football, which became obvious in the case of the French fly-half. The Gallic player was a member of the opposing team beaten in the European competition in the spring when Tommy Freeman notched a hat-trick. The player liked what he saw to such an extent to reverse the trend of British stars heading across the Channel.

“An associate phoned me and said: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s seeking a club,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘There's no money for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for new challenges, for the opportunity to prove his worth,’ my mate informed me. That intrigued us. We spoke to him and his language skills was incredible, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.

“We questioned: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He said to be trained, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and away from the domestic competition. I was saying: ‘Join us, you’re a great person.’ And he turned out to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson states the 20-year-old Pollock offers a particular energy. Does he know a player like him? “No,” Dowson answers. “Each person is unique but Henry is unusual and remarkable in many ways. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”

His sensational touchdown against Leinster last season showcased his freakish skill, but various his animated during matches antics have brought allegations of overconfidence.

“He sometimes seems cocky in his actions, but he’s far from it,” Dowson says. “Plus he's not taking the piss the whole time. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s no fool. I feel at times it’s depicted that he’s only a character. But he’s bright and a positive influence in the squad.”

Not many directors of rugby would describe themselves as having a bromance with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with Vesty.

“Together share an interest about different things,” he says. “We have a book club. He desires to explore various elements, wants to know all there is, desires to try varied activities, and I think I’m the same.

“We converse on lots of subjects outside the sport: films, books, concepts, culture. When we faced our French rivals in the past season, the landmark was being done up, so we had a little wander around.”

Another fixture in the French nation is coming up: Northampton’s comeback with the English competition will be brief because the European tournament kicks in next week. Pau, in the shadow of the border region, are the opening fixture on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club travel to the following weekend.

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