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This English town is hardly the most tropical spot on the planet, but its squad provides an abundance of excitement and passion.

In a place known for footwear manufacturing, you could anticipate punting to be the Saints’ main approach. However under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors prefer to retain possession.

Even though embodying a typically British location, they display a flair associated with the best French practitioners of champagne rugby.

Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have secured the domestic league and advanced far in the Champions Cup – beaten by a French side in the previous campaign's decider and ousted by the Irish province in a semi-final previously.

They sit atop the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and travel to their West Country rivals on matchday as the only unbeaten side, seeking a first win at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who played 262 elite fixtures for multiple clubs combined, had long intended to be a manager.

“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “But as you mature, you understand how much you appreciate the game, and what the real world is like. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You travel to work a multiple instances, and it was difficult – you grasp what you have going for you.”

Talks with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder led to a position at Northampton. Fast-forward eight years and Dowson guides a squad ever more crammed with national team players: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for the national side against the New Zealand two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a significant influence as a substitute in England’s successful series while the number ten, eventually, will inherit the No 10 jersey.

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

“It is a bit of both,” states Dowson. “I would acknowledge Chris Boyd, who gave them opportunities, and we had difficult periods. But the practice they had as a unit is undoubtedly one of the causes they are so tight and so skilled.”

Dowson also cites his predecessor, an earlier coach at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “I’ve been fortunate to be guided by highly engaging personalities,” he adds. “He had a major effect on my professional journey, my training methods, how I deal with individuals.”

Saints execute appealing the game, which became obvious in the instance of Anthony Belleau. The Frenchman was involved with the opposing team defeated in the Champions Cup in the spring when Freeman registered a three tries. Belleau was impressed sufficiently to buck the pattern of UK players moving to France.

“A friend phoned me and remarked: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s looking for a side,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘We lack the budget for a imported playmaker. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He wants new challenges, for the opportunity to prove his worth,’ my mate told me. That interested me. We had a conversation with Belleau and his communication was incredible, he was well-spoken, he had a witty personality.

“We inquired: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He answered to be coached, to be pushed, to be facing unfamiliar situations and beyond the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Join us, you’re a great person.’ And he turned out to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson comments the 20-year-old the flanker brings a unique enthusiasm. Has he encountered anyone comparable? “Never,” Dowson responds. “Everyone’s individual but he is distinct and special in many ways. He’s not afraid to be who he is.”

Pollock’s sensational try against the Irish side last season illustrated his freakish skill, but various his animated on-field behavior have led to claims of arrogance.

“He sometimes seems arrogant in his behavior, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson asserts. “Plus he's being serious the whole time. In terms of strategy he has contributions – he’s no fool. I feel at times it’s portrayed that he’s only a character. But he’s clever and a positive influence in the squad.”

Few managers would admit to having a bromance with a head coach, but that is how Dowson describes his partnership with Vesty.

“Together share an inquisitiveness about diverse subjects,” he notes. “We have a book club. He wants to see various elements, seeks to understand each detail, wants to experience different things, and I feel like I’m the same.

“We talk about lots of topics away from the sport: movies, literature, thoughts, culture. When we played our French rivals previously, the cathedral was being done up, so we had a quick look.”

Another date in Gall is approaching: Northampton’s comeback with the Prem will be brief because the European tournament intervenes soon. Pau, in the vicinity of the mountain range, are the initial challenge on the coming weekend before the Bulls travel to soon after.

“I refuse to be overconfident sufficiently to {