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Northampton is hardly the most glamorous spot on the planet, but its club delivers an abundance of thrills and drama.

In a town known for footwear manufacturing, you might expect punting to be the Northampton's primary strategy. Yet under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold prefer to keep ball in hand.

Despite embodying a typically British town, they display a flair associated with the best Gallic exponents of champagne rugby.

Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have won the English top flight and gone deep in the European competition – defeated by Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and ousted by Dublin-based club in a penultimate round earlier.

They sit atop the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and travel to Bristol on matchday as the only unbeaten side, aiming for a maiden victory at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who played 262 premier matches for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester combined, consistently aimed to be a coach.

“When I played, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “Yet as you age, you understand how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the normal employment looks like. I had a stint at a financial institution doing a trial period. You travel to work a several occasions, and it was difficult – you see what you do and don’t have.”

Talks with club legends resulted in a role at the Saints. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson leads a team progressively crammed with internationals: key individuals were selected for the national side facing the All Blacks two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a major effect as a substitute in the national team's successful series while Fin Smith, in time, will assume the pivotal position.

Is the development of this remarkable group due to the team's ethos, or is it fortune?

“This is a bit of both,” states Dowson. “I would acknowledge an ex-coach, who basically just threw them in, and we had some tough days. But the experience they had as a unit is undoubtedly one of the causes they are so close-knit and so gifted.”

Dowson also namechecks Jim Mallinder, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a major influence. “I was lucky to be mentored by really interesting personalities,” he adds. “Mallinder had a major effect on my career, my management style, how I manage others.”

The team demonstrate appealing the game, which proved literally true in the instance of the French fly-half. The Gallic player was involved with the opposing team overcome in the European competition in the spring when Tommy Freeman notched a hat-trick. Belleau admired the style sufficiently to reverse the trend of UK players moving to France.

“An associate phoned me and said: ‘We know of a fly-half from France who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson says. “I replied: ‘We don’t have money for a imported playmaker. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He desires new challenges, for the chance to challenge himself,’ my contact informed me. That caught my attention. We had a conversation with Belleau and his language skills was incredible, he was eloquent, he had a funny side.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be guided, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and outside the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he proved to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson says the emerging the flanker offers a unique enthusiasm. Does he know an individual like him? “No,” Dowson replies. “Each person is original but he is distinct and special in numerous aspects. He’s unafraid to be who he is.”

His spectacular try against the Irish side previously showcased his unusual talent, but some of his animated on-field behavior have resulted in claims of overconfidence.

“On occasion comes across as cocky in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson says. “Plus Henry’s not joking around constantly. Tactically he has contributions – he’s no fool. I feel at times it’s depicted that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and good fun in the squad.”

Not many managers would admit to having a bromance with a colleague, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with Sam Vesty.

“Sam and I possess an interest about diverse subjects,” he explains. “We have a reading group. He desires to explore all aspects, aims to learn everything, desires to try different things, and I feel like I’m the similar.

“We discuss numerous topics beyond the sport: movies, literature, concepts, creativity. When we met our French rivals previously, the cathedral was under renovation, so we had a quick look.”

A further fixture in France is looming: Northampton’s return with the Prem will be short-lived because the European tournament intervenes shortly. The French side, in the foothills of the border region, are the initial challenge on matchday before the Bulls arrive at a week later.

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