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This English town may not be the most exotic location in the world, but its club delivers an abundance of romance and adventure.

In a place renowned for shoe production, you could anticipate punting to be the Saints’ main approach. But under leader Phil Dowson, the side in the club's hues opt to retain possession.

Although representing a quintessentially English town, they exhibit a flair synonymous with the finest Gallic masters of expansive play.

After Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have secured the Premiership and gone deep in the continental tournament – losing to a French side in the previous campaign's decider and ousted by Dublin-based club in a penultimate round before that.

They lead the league standings after multiple successes and a single stalemate and visit Ashton Gate on Saturday as the just one without a loss, aiming for a first win at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who featured in 262 top-flight fixtures for multiple clubs in total, had long intended to be a trainer.

“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “Yet as you age, you realise how much you appreciate the sport, and what the normal employment looks like. I had a stint at a financial institution doing work experience. You travel to work a few times, and it was difficult – you see what you possess and lack.”

Discussions with club legends culminated in a job at the Saints. Fast-forward a decade and Dowson manages a squad ever more filled with internationals: key individuals lined up for the Red Rose versus the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a significant influence off the bench in the national team's successful series while the fly-half, in time, will inherit the fly-half role.

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

“It is 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 challenging moments. But the practice they had as a collective is undoubtedly one of the factors they are so close-knit and so gifted.”

Dowson also namechecks his predecessor, a former boss at the club's home, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be guided by really interesting people,” he adds. “Mallinder had a major effect on my rugby life, my management style, how I interact with individuals.”

The team execute entertaining football, which became obvious in the example of the French fly-half. The import was part of the opposing team beaten in the continental tournament in April when Tommy Freeman scored a hat-trick. Belleau liked what he saw enough to buck the pattern of English talent joining Top 14 sides.

“A mate called me and stated: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘We lack the money for a overseas star. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He wants new challenges, for the chance to prove his worth,’ my contact said. That interested me. We had a conversation with Anthony and his communication was excellent, he was eloquent, he had a sense of humour.

“We questioned: ‘What do you want from this?’ He answered to be trained, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he proved to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the 20-year-old Pollock brings a unique enthusiasm. Does he know an individual comparable? “Never,” Dowson answers. “All players are original but he is unusual and remarkable in many ways. He’s unafraid to be himself.”

Pollock’s spectacular try against Leinster in the past campaign showcased his freakish ability, but some of his animated during matches actions have brought allegations of overconfidence.

“He sometimes appears arrogant in his conduct, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson clarifies. “And Pollock is not taking the piss the whole time. Tactically he has ideas – he’s no fool. I believe on occasion it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s intelligent and a positive influence in the squad.”

Few directors of rugby would describe themselves as enjoying a tight friendship with a colleague, but that is how Dowson characterizes his relationship with Vesty.

“We both share an interest regarding diverse subjects,” he explains. “We maintain a reading group. He aims to discover all aspects, aims to learn all there is, desires to try different things, and I believe I’m the alike.

“We discuss lots of topics beyond the sport: cinema, reading, thoughts, culture. When we played the Parisian club in the past season, Notre-Dame was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”

One more match in Gall is approaching: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the domestic league will be brief because the European tournament takes over next week. Pau, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are up first on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club arrive at the following weekend.

“I refuse to be overconfident sufficiently to {