🔗 Share this article

Northampton is hardly the most tropical destination in the world, but its rugby union team provides plenty of romance and adventure.

In a town known for shoe production, you would think kicking to be the Northampton's main approach. Yet under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in the club's hues opt to keep ball in hand.

Although embodying a typically British town, they exhibit a flair typical of the greatest French practitioners of champagne rugby.

Since Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have won the domestic league and gone deep in the European competition – defeated by Bordeaux-Bègles in the ultimate match and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a semi-final before that.

They sit atop the competition ladder after a series of victories and one tie and travel to Ashton Gate on matchday as the just one without a loss, aiming for a first win at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who played 262 premier matches for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester combined, always planned to be a trainer.

“During my career, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “But as you mature, you comprehend how much you love the sport, and what the everyday life entails. I worked briefly at a financial institution doing an internship. You make the journey a several occasions, and it was difficult – you see what you do and don’t have.”

Discussions with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a job at Northampton. Jump ahead a decade and Dowson leads a team progressively filled with internationals: key individuals started for the national side against the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a significant influence as a substitute in England’s successful series while Fin Smith, eventually, will take over the pivotal position.

Is the emergence of this outstanding generation because of the team's ethos, or is it chance?

“It's a combination of the two,” states Dowson. “My thanks go to the former director of rugby, who basically just threw them in, and we had difficult periods. But the experience they had as a group is certainly one of the causes they are so united and so gifted.”

Dowson also cites Mallinder, a former boss at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be coached by highly engaging people,” he adds. “Mallinder had a major effect on my professional journey, my management style, how I manage individuals.”

The team execute entertaining rugby, which was clearly evident in the example of Anthony Belleau. The import was involved with the Clermont XV beaten in the Champions Cup in April when the winger registered a three tries. He liked what he saw to such an extent to reverse the trend of UK players heading across the Channel.

“A mate rang me and stated: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s looking for a team,’” Dowson says. “I replied: ‘We lack the money for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for new challenges, for the opportunity to prove his worth,’ my friend told me. That caught my attention. We had a conversation with Belleau and his English was incredible, he was articulate, he had a funny side.

“We asked: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He answered to be coached, to be pushed, to be in a new environment and away from the French league. I was saying: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he proved to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson comments the young Pollock brings a unique energy. Does he know anyone like him? “Never,” Dowson replies. “All players are individual but he is unusual and remarkable in numerous aspects. He’s not afraid to be who he is.”

The player's spectacular touchdown against the Irish side last season illustrated his unusual skill, but various his demonstrative in-game actions have resulted in claims of overconfidence.

“He sometimes appears overconfident in his behavior, but he’s not,” Dowson says. “And Henry’s not joking around the whole time. In terms of strategy he has contributions – he’s a smart player. I feel at times it’s shown that he’s merely a joker. But he’s bright and a positive influence in the squad.”

Hardly any coaches would describe themselves as enjoying a tight friendship with a colleague, but that is how Dowson describes his partnership with his co-coach.

“Sam and I possess an inquisitiveness around diverse subjects,” he explains. “We run a reading group. He desires to explore various elements, seeks to understand all there is, desires to try new experiences, and I feel like I’m the same.

“We talk about many topics outside the game: cinema, literature, ideas, creativity. When we played our French rivals previously, the landmark was being done up, so we had a little wander around.”

One more date in the French nation is approaching: The Saints' return with the domestic league will be temporary because the Champions Cup takes over shortly. Pau, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on matchday before the Bulls arrive at soon after.

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