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This English town is hardly the most tropical spot in the world, but its club offers an abundance of excitement and passion.

In a town famous for shoe production, you might expect boot work to be the Saints’ modus operandi. Yet under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in the club's hues opt to keep ball in hand.

Despite playing for a typically British community, they showcase a style synonymous with the finest Gallic practitioners of expansive play.

From the time Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the English top flight and progressed well in the continental tournament – losing to their Gallic opponents in the previous campaign's decider and ousted by Dublin-based club in a semi-final before that.

They currently top the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and visit Ashton Gate on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, aiming for a initial success at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who participated in 262 top-flight games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, consistently aimed to be a coach.

“As a professional, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “But as you mature, you comprehend how much you enjoy the sport, and what the real world entails. I worked briefly at Metro Bank doing work experience. You make the journey a few times, and it was difficult – you realise what you have going for you.”

Discussions with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder resulted in a position at Northampton. Move forward a decade and Dowson leads a squad increasingly filled with national team players: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for the national side facing the All Blacks two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a profound impact off the bench in the national team's perfect autumn while Fin Smith, down the line, will assume the pivotal position.

Is the emergence of this remarkable generation due to the club's environment, or is it chance?

“It's a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “I would acknowledge the former director of rugby, who gave them opportunities, and we had difficult periods. But the exposure they had as a collective is undoubtedly one of the reasons they are so close-knit and so skilled.”

Dowson also cites his predecessor, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a major influence. “It was my good fortune to be guided by really interesting individuals,” he says. “He had a significant influence on my rugby life, my coaching, how I manage people.”

Northampton execute attractive the game, which proved literally true in the example of the French fly-half. The Gallic player was involved with the opposing team overcome in the Champions Cup in April when Freeman notched a triple. The player was impressed enough to reverse the trend of UK players joining Top 14 sides.

“A mate rang me and stated: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘There's no budget for a imported playmaker. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for experience, for the chance to prove his worth,’ my contact informed me. That caught my attention. We had a conversation with Anthony and his language skills was excellent, he was eloquent, he had a witty personality.

“We inquired: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He responded to be trained, to be pushed, to be in a new environment and away from the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a great person.’ And he has been. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson comments the young the flanker brings a specific energy. Does he know an individual similar? “No,” Dowson answers. “Each person is original but he is different and unique in many ways. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”

The player's sensational touchdown against their opponents previously demonstrated his unusual ability, but a few of his expressive in-game actions have brought accusations of overconfidence.

“On occasion appears overconfident in his behavior, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore Pollock is not taking the piss the whole time. Tactically he has contributions – he’s not a clown. I think on occasion it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and great to have within the team.”

Few directors of rugby would claim to have sharing a close bond with a head coach, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with Vesty.

“Together possess an interest around various topics,” he explains. “We run a literary circle. He aims to discover all aspects, wants to know everything, wants to experience different things, and I believe I’m the same.

“We talk about many things away from the game: cinema, reading, ideas, creativity. When we met Stade [Français] previously, Notre-Dame was under renovation, so we had a brief exploration.”

A further fixture in the French nation is coming up: Northampton’s comeback with the Prem will be temporary because the continental event kicks in soon. Pau, in the shadow of the border region, are the initial challenge on the coming weekend before the South African team travel to a week later.

“I won't be overconfident sufficiently to {