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This English town may not be the most exotic location on the planet, but its squad delivers plenty of thrills and drama.

In a town known for footwear manufacturing, you could anticipate boot work to be the Saints’ main approach. Yet under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in their distinctive colors choose to run with the ball.

Even though embodying a quintessentially English community, they showcase a style typical of the greatest Gallic masters of expansive play.

Since Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have secured the Premiership and advanced far in the Champions Cup – defeated by Bordeaux-Bègles in the ultimate match and knocked out by Leinster in a semi-final before that.

They sit atop the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and travel to Bristol on matchday as the sole undefeated team, seeking a maiden victory at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who played 262 premier fixtures for multiple clubs in total, consistently aimed to be a trainer.

“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he states. “However as you get older, you realise how much you enjoy the game, and what the normal employment looks like. I had a stint at a banking firm doing work experience. You do the commute a multiple instances, and it was tough – you grasp what you do and don’t have.”

Conversations with club legends resulted in a role at the Saints. Jump ahead several seasons and Dowson manages a team ever more crammed with national team players: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for the Red Rose versus the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a major effect off the bench in England’s flawless campaign while Fin Smith, down the line, will assume the No 10 jersey.

Is the rise of this remarkable cohort due to the Saints’ culture, or is it luck?

“It's a bit of both,” says Dowson. “I would acknowledge Chris Boyd, 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 united and so talented.”

Dowson also mentions Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at Franklin’s Gardens, as a major influence. “I was lucky to be mentored by exceptionally insightful people,” he notes. “He had a significant influence on my professional journey, my management style, how I interact with individuals.”

The team execute appealing the game, which proved literally true in the case of their new signing. The Frenchman was part of the opposing team overcome in the European competition in April when Freeman registered a triple. The player admired the style to such an extent to go against the flow of English talent heading across the Channel.

“A friend rang me and said: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s looking for a team,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘We don’t have 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 said. That interested me. We spoke to Belleau and his communication was outstanding, he was eloquent, he had a witty personality.

“We asked: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He responded to be coached, to be challenged, to be facing unfamiliar situations and away from the domestic competition. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson says the young the flanker brings a specific energy. Does he know an individual like him? “Not really,” Dowson responds. “Each person is unique but Henry is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be who he is.”

His sensational touchdown against Leinster last season demonstrated his freakish talent, but a few of his demonstrative during matches actions have led to allegations of arrogance.

“At times comes across as arrogant in his actions, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “Plus he's not taking the piss all the time. Tactically he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I believe sometimes it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s intelligent and a positive influence to have around.”

Not many directors of rugby would admit to enjoying a tight friendship with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with Sam Vesty.

“We both possess an curiosity about various topics,” he notes. “We maintain a reading group. He aims to discover everything, aims to learn everything, desires to try different things, and I feel like I’m the same.

“We converse on many things outside the game: cinema, books, ideas, culture. When we played Stade [Français] last year, the cathedral was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”

A further date in the French nation is looming: Northampton’s comeback with the domestic league will be temporary because the continental event takes over next week. Pau, in the shadow of the border region, are the initial challenge on the coming weekend before the Pretoria-based club visit soon after.

“I won't be overconfident to the extent to {