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Northampton is hardly the most tropical location on the planet, but its rugby union team delivers an abundance of thrills and drama.

In a town famous for footwear manufacturing, you could anticipate boot work to be the Northampton's modus operandi. Yet under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the team in the club's hues prefer to retain possession.

Even though playing for a quintessentially English location, they exhibit a panache typical of the best Gallic masters of champagne rugby.

Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have secured the Premiership and gone deep in the continental tournament – defeated by a French side in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by the Irish province in a last-four clash previously.

They sit atop the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and travel to Bristol on Saturday as the only unbeaten side, aiming for a first win at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who played 262 top-flight matches for multiple clubs in total, consistently aimed to be a trainer.

“During my career, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “But as you mature, you understand how much you appreciate the sport, and what the real world is like. I spent some time at a financial institution doing a trial period. You do the commute a few times, and it was difficult – you grasp what you possess and lack.”

Talks with former mentors culminated in a role at the Saints. Fast-forward eight years and Dowson manages a squad increasingly packed with global stars: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles were selected for England against the All Blacks two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a profound impact as a substitute in England’s perfect autumn while the number ten, in time, will assume the pivotal position.

Is the emergence of this exceptional cohort due to the club's environment, or is it luck?

“It is a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “I’d credit an ex-coach, who gave them opportunities, and we had difficult periods. But the practice they had as a unit is definitely one of the factors they are so close-knit and so talented.”

Dowson also cites Mallinder, an earlier coach at Franklin’s Gardens, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be guided by highly engaging people,” he adds. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my career, my management style, how I interact with others.”

Saints demonstrate attractive football, which became obvious in the case of the French fly-half. The Frenchman was a member of the French club defeated in the Champions Cup in April when the winger notched a three tries. Belleau was impressed enough to buck the pattern of English talent moving to France.

“A friend phoned me and remarked: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson says. “My response was: ‘We lack the funds 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 caught my attention. We met with Anthony and his communication was outstanding, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be trained, to be challenged, to be in a new environment and beyond the Top 14. I was saying: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he has been. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the 20-year-old Pollock brings a unique energy. Has he encountered a player comparable? “Not really,” Dowson responds. “Each person is original but Pollock is different and unique in many ways. He’s fearless to be authentic.”

The player's breathtaking try against Leinster last season demonstrated his exceptional skill, but some of his animated during matches behavior have resulted in accusations of overconfidence.

“On occasion appears arrogant in his actions, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson says. “Furthermore Pollock is being serious constantly. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I think sometimes it’s shown that he’s merely a joker. But he’s bright and a positive influence within the team.”

Hardly any directors of rugby would admit to sharing a close bond with a head coach, but that is how Dowson characterizes his partnership with his co-coach.

“Together share an curiosity regarding various topics,” he says. “We maintain a literary circle. He aims to discover everything, seeks to understand each detail, wants to experience new experiences, and I think I’m the alike.

“We discuss many things away from the sport: movies, reading, ideas, art. When we faced our French rivals in the past season, the landmark was undergoing restoration, so we had a little wander around.”

Another fixture in Gall is looming: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the English competition will be temporary because the Champions Cup intervenes shortly. Their next opponents, in the vicinity of the border region, are the initial challenge on matchday before the South African team visit a week later.

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