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This English town may not be the most glamorous destination globally, but its club provides an abundance of romance and adventure.

In a place known for shoe production, you would think kicking to be the Saints’ modus operandi. Yet under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the squad in the club's hues prefer to run with the ball.

Despite representing a typically British community, they exhibit a style synonymous with the greatest French exponents of attacking rugby.

From the time Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have claimed victory in the English top flight and advanced far in the Champions Cup – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider 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 visit their West Country rivals on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, chasing a first win at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who featured in 262 elite matches for multiple clubs in total, had long intended to be a trainer.

“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “But as you mature, you comprehend how much you enjoy the game, and what the everyday life is like. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing work experience. You make the journey a multiple instances, and it was difficult – you grasp what you have going for you.”

Discussions with former mentors led to a position at Northampton. Move forward eight years and Dowson guides a roster progressively packed with internationals: prominent figures started for the national side against the New Zealand two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a profound impact as a substitute in the national team's flawless campaign while the number ten, in time, will assume the fly-half role.

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

“It's a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to Chris Boyd, who thrust them into action, and we had challenging moments. But the practice they had as a unit is certainly one of the causes they are so tight and so gifted.”

Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, a former boss at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “It was my good fortune to be coached by highly engaging personalities,” he notes. “Jim had a significant influence on my career, my training methods, how I deal with individuals.”

Saints demonstrate entertaining the game, which became obvious in the case of Anthony Belleau. The import was a member of the French club defeated in the Champions Cup in April when the winger scored a three tries. Belleau liked what he saw to such an extent to go against the flow of UK players heading across the Channel.

“A mate rang me and stated: ‘We've found a fly-half from France who’s seeking a club,’” Dowson recalls. “My response was: ‘We lack the funds for a French fly-half. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He wants a fresh start, for the opportunity to challenge himself,’ my contact informed me. That intrigued us. We met with Belleau and his English was incredible, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He answered to be coached, to be pushed, to be facing unfamiliar situations and outside the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he proved to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson says the 20-year-old Pollock brings a specific energy. Has he encountered an individual comparable? “No,” Dowson responds. “Each person is original but he is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”

The player's breathtaking touchdown against their opponents last season illustrated his unusual skill, but some of his animated during matches behavior have resulted in claims of overconfidence.

“At times seems overconfident in his actions, but he’s far from it,” Dowson says. “And Pollock is being serious the whole time. Tactically he has ideas – he’s no fool. I feel on occasion it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s clever and good fun in the squad.”

Few directors of rugby would claim to have having a bromance with a head coach, but that is how Dowson characterizes his relationship with his co-coach.

“We both possess an inquisitiveness around various topics,” he notes. “We maintain a reading group. He desires to explore all aspects, wants to know everything, wants to experience new experiences, and I feel like I’m the alike.

“We converse on many topics outside the sport: cinema, reading, concepts, art. When we played our French rivals previously, the landmark was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

One more fixture in Gall is looming: Northampton’s return with the English competition will be brief because the continental event kicks in shortly. The French side, in the shadow of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club visit a week later.

“I refuse to be presumptuous sufficiently to {