🔗 Share this article

This English town is hardly the most exotic destination globally, but its squad delivers plenty of excitement and passion.

In a place known for boot‑making, you could anticipate kicking to be the Northampton's modus operandi. Yet under leader Phil Dowson, the team in the club's hues prefer to run with the ball.

Despite representing a typically British location, they showcase a flair synonymous with the best Gallic masters of expansive play.

Since Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have claimed victory in the English top flight and gone deep in the Champions Cup – losing to a French side in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by the Irish province in a penultimate round before that.

They sit atop the competition ladder after four wins and a draw and travel to Bristol on Saturday as the only unbeaten side, chasing a maiden victory at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who played 262 premier games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, consistently aimed to be a trainer.

“As a professional, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “But as you age, you understand how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the normal employment is like. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing an internship. You do the commute a few times, and it was challenging – you grasp what you possess and lack.”

Talks with club legends led to a role at Northampton. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson leads a roster increasingly packed with global stars: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for the national side against the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a significant influence off the bench in England’s flawless campaign while the number ten, down the line, will inherit the fly-half role.

Is the rise of this outstanding generation attributable to the Saints’ culture, or is it chance?

“This is a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the exposure they had as a collective is certainly one of the reasons they are so tight and so talented.”

Dowson also mentions Mallinder, an earlier coach at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “I’ve been fortunate to be coached by exceptionally insightful individuals,” he adds. “Jim had a significant influence on my rugby life, my coaching, how I manage people.”

The team play appealing football, which proved literally true in the instance of their new signing. The Frenchman was a member of the French club overcome in the continental tournament in last season when Freeman notched a triple. The player admired the style to such an extent to go against the flow of English talent moving to France.

“A friend called me and said: ‘There’s a fly-half from France who’s seeking a side,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘We don’t have money for a imported playmaker. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He wants new challenges, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my mate informed me. That caught my attention. We spoke to him and his language skills was incredible, he was articulate, he had a sense of humour.

“We questioned: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He responded to be coached, to be challenged, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he proved to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson comments the young Henry Pollock provides a specific vitality. Does he know an individual similar? “Not really,” Dowson answers. “Everyone’s original but he is unusual and remarkable in numerous aspects. He’s fearless to be himself.”

The player's breathtaking try against Leinster previously demonstrated his exceptional ability, but some of his expressive during matches behavior have led to allegations of arrogance.

“He sometimes appears cocky in his behavior, but he’s not,” Dowson asserts. “Furthermore he's not taking the piss all the time. Tactically he has ideas – he’s no fool. I think on occasion it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s bright and great to have to have around.”

Not many managers would claim to have sharing a close bond with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his partnership with his co-coach.

“Sam and I have an interest around diverse subjects,” he says. “We have a literary circle. He aims to discover all aspects, wants to know everything, wants to experience different things, and I believe I’m the similar.

“We converse on many subjects outside rugby: cinema, reading, thoughts, culture. When we played the Parisian club last year, the landmark was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”

A further date in France is looming: The Saints' return with the English competition will be brief because the Champions Cup takes over next week. The French side, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are the opening fixture on the coming weekend before the Pretoria-based club arrive at the following weekend.

“I refuse to be arrogant to the extent to {