🔗 Share this article

Northampton isn't exactly the most tropical destination on the planet, but its squad offers a great deal of thrills and drama.

In a town famous for footwear manufacturing, you would think kicking to be the Saints’ modus operandi. Yet under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in green, black and gold choose to retain possession.

Although embodying a quintessentially English town, they display a panache synonymous with the greatest Gallic masters of champagne rugby.

After Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have secured the English top flight and advanced far in the Champions Cup – beaten by their Gallic opponents in the ultimate match and ousted by Leinster in a penultimate round earlier.

They currently top the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and visit their West Country rivals on the weekend as the just one without a loss, aiming for a initial success at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who featured in 262 top-flight fixtures for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, consistently aimed to be a manager.

“During my career, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “Yet as you get older, you comprehend how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the everyday life entails. I spent some time at a financial institution doing a trial period. You travel to work a multiple instances, and it was tough – you see what you have going for you.”

Conversations with former mentors culminated in a job at the Saints. Fast-forward eight years and Dowson guides a squad progressively crammed with global stars: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles were selected for England facing the New Zealand two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a significant influence from the replacements in England’s perfect autumn while Fin Smith, in time, will assume the fly-half role.

Is the development of this exceptional cohort due to the team's ethos, or is it luck?

“It's a bit of both,” comments Dowson. “I would acknowledge Chris Boyd, who basically just threw them in, and we had challenging moments. But the practice they had as a group is certainly one of the factors they are so close-knit and so talented.”

Dowson also namechecks Mallinder, another predecessor at their stadium, as a key figure. “I’ve been fortunate to be coached by exceptionally insightful individuals,” he adds. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my rugby life, my management style, how I interact with others.”

Northampton demonstrate entertaining the game, which became obvious in the example of their new signing. The import was a member of the Clermont XV overcome in the European competition in April when Freeman notched a three tries. He admired the style to such an extent to reverse the trend of British stars heading across the Channel.

“An associate called me and stated: ‘We've found a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson explains. “My response was: ‘There's no budget for a overseas star. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He desires experience, for the opportunity to test himself,’ my friend informed me. That intrigued us. We spoke to Belleau and his language skills was outstanding, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.

“We inquired: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He responded to be trained, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and away from the Top 14. I was saying: ‘Join us, you’re a great person.’ And he proved to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson says the young the flanker offers a unique energy. Does he know an individual similar? “No,” Dowson replies. “Each person is individual but Henry is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be himself.”

His breathtaking touchdown against Leinster in the past campaign showcased his exceptional talent, but various his expressive on-field actions have resulted in accusations of arrogance.

“At times comes across as arrogant in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson asserts. “Furthermore Pollock is not joking around all the time. Tactically he has ideas – he’s no fool. I feel sometimes it’s depicted that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and good fun within the team.”

Not many coaches 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 inquisitiveness regarding various topics,” he says. “We maintain a book club. He desires to explore everything, seeks to understand everything, aims to encounter new experiences, and I believe I’m the same.

“We discuss many things away from rugby: cinema, reading, thoughts, culture. When we played Stade [Français] previously, the cathedral was undergoing restoration, so we had a brief exploration.”

Another fixture in Gall is looming: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the Prem will be temporary because the European tournament kicks in next week. Pau, in the shadow of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on matchday before the South African team arrive at soon after.

“I’m not going to be presumptuous to the extent to {