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This English town isn't exactly the most glamorous spot on the planet, but its squad offers a great deal of thrills and drama.

In a city famous for boot‑making, you would think boot work to be the Northampton's main approach. However under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the squad in their distinctive colors choose to keep ball in hand.

Although playing for a distinctly UK community, they display a flair typical of the best French practitioners of champagne rugby.

After Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have secured the English top flight and gone deep in the continental tournament – beaten by a French side in the ultimate match and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a last-four clash earlier.

They currently top the league standings after four wins and a draw and visit their West Country rivals on matchday as the just one without a loss, seeking a maiden victory at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 premier matches for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, had long intended to be a trainer.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he remarks. “Yet as you age, you understand how much you love the rugby, and what the normal employment looks like. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You travel to work a several occasions, and it was tough – you see what you do and don’t have.”

Discussions with former mentors led to a job at Northampton. Move forward a decade and Dowson guides a squad increasingly packed with internationals: key individuals were selected for England facing the New Zealand two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a major effect from the replacements in the national team's flawless campaign while the number ten, down the line, will inherit the fly-half role.

Is the rise of this remarkable cohort because of the club's environment, or is it chance?

“This is a bit of both,” states Dowson. “I would acknowledge an ex-coach, who basically just threw them in, and we had challenging moments. But the experience they had as a unit is undoubtedly one of the causes they are so united and so talented.”

Dowson also mentions Mallinder, another predecessor at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “I’ve been fortunate to be guided by highly engaging personalities,” he says. “Mallinder had a major effect on my rugby life, my management style, how I manage people.”

Northampton execute entertaining the game, which became obvious in the example of the French fly-half. The Gallic player was a member of the Clermont XV beaten in the Champions Cup in the spring when Tommy Freeman registered a hat-trick. The player admired the style enough to go against the flow of British stars joining Top 14 sides.

“An associate phoned me and remarked: ‘There’s a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson explains. “My response was: ‘There's no funds for a imported playmaker. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the chance to test himself,’ my friend told me. That caught my attention. We spoke to Anthony and his communication was outstanding, he was eloquent, he had a sense of humour.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He answered to be trained, to be driven, to be outside his comfort zone and outside the Top 14. I was like: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson comments the emerging the flanker brings a specific vitality. Does he know anyone comparable? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “Everyone’s original but Pollock is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s fearless to be who he is.”

His breathtaking try against the Irish side last season demonstrated his unusual talent, but a few of his animated on-field actions have led to accusations of overconfidence.

“On occasion appears cocky in his conduct, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson says. “And Henry’s not joking around constantly. Tactically he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I believe at times it’s portrayed that he’s just this idiot. But he’s clever and a positive influence in the squad.”

Hardly any coaches would claim to have having a bromance with a assistant, but that is how Dowson describes his connection with Sam Vesty.

“Together possess an curiosity around different things,” he notes. “We have a book club. He aims to discover all aspects, wants to know all there is, desires to try new experiences, and I think I’m the same.

“We converse on many subjects beyond rugby: cinema, literature, concepts, art. When we faced our French rivals previously, the cathedral was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

One more fixture in the French nation is looming: Northampton’s return with the domestic league will be brief because the continental event intervenes shortly. Pau, in the foothills of the border region, are the opening fixture on the coming weekend before the Bulls arrive at soon after.

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