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This English town isn't exactly the most glamorous destination in the world, but its club offers a great deal of excitement and passion.

In a town known for boot‑making, you would think punting to be the Northampton's primary strategy. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the team in green, black and gold opt to run with the ball.

Despite playing for a quintessentially English community, they showcase a style typical of the finest French masters of expansive play.

Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have won the domestic league and gone deep in the continental tournament – losing to their Gallic opponents in the ultimate match and eliminated by the Irish province in a penultimate round previously.

They currently top the league standings after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to Bristol on matchday as the only unbeaten side, aiming for a maiden victory at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who featured in 262 premier games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester combined, always planned to be a manager.

“As a professional, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “But as you mature, you realise how much you appreciate the game, and what the real world entails. I worked briefly at a financial institution doing an internship. You do the commute a several occasions, and it was challenging – you see what you possess and lack.”

Conversations with former mentors resulted in a job at Northampton. Fast-forward a decade and Dowson guides a roster ever more filled with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for the Red Rose facing the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a significant influence from the replacements in the national team's flawless campaign while the number ten, in time, will take over the No 10 jersey.

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

“It is a combination of the two,” states Dowson. “My thanks go to Chris Boyd, who thrust them into action, and we had difficult periods. But the practice they had as a unit is certainly one of the factors they are so tight and so gifted.”

Dowson also cites his predecessor, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a major influence. “I’ve been fortunate to be guided by really interesting people,” he notes. “Jim had a significant influence on my rugby life, my training methods, how I manage others.”

Northampton play entertaining football, which was clearly evident in the case of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was involved with the opposing team defeated in the continental tournament in April when Freeman scored a triple. The player admired the style sufficiently to buck the pattern of UK players heading across the Channel.

“A friend phoned me and stated: ‘We know of a Gallic number ten who’s looking for a team,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘There's no money for a imported playmaker. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He wants new challenges, for the opportunity to test himself,’ my mate told me. That caught my attention. We had a conversation with Anthony and his English was excellent, he was well-spoken, he had a witty personality.

“We asked: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He said to be guided, to be driven, to be outside his comfort zone and outside the domestic competition. I was saying: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a great person.’ And he turned out to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the young Pollock brings a unique enthusiasm. Does he know an individual similar? “Never,” Dowson replies. “All players are original but Henry is distinct and special in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be himself.”

His breathtaking touchdown against their opponents previously illustrated his exceptional ability, but various his expressive on-field antics have brought allegations of cockiness.

“On occasion comes across as overconfident in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson asserts. “Plus he's not joking around the whole time. In terms of strategy he has contributions – he’s not a clown. I believe on occasion it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s clever and good fun within the team.”

Hardly any directors of rugby would describe themselves as sharing a close bond with a assistant, but that is how Dowson characterizes his partnership with his co-coach.

“We both possess an curiosity around different things,” he explains. “We maintain a book club. He desires to explore all aspects, wants to know each detail, desires to try different things, and I feel like I’m the alike.

“We discuss lots of topics beyond the game: movies, reading, concepts, culture. When we faced Stade [Français] in the past season, the cathedral was undergoing restoration, so we had a brief exploration.”

One more date in the French nation is looming: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the Prem will be temporary because the continental event kicks in shortly. Their next opponents, in the shadow of the Pyrenees, are up first on the coming weekend before the Pretoria-based club travel to soon after.

“I’m not going to be presumptuous enough to {