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Northampton isn't exactly the most exotic location on the planet, but its club provides an abundance of excitement and passion.

In a town renowned for boot‑making, you would think boot work to be the Saints’ main approach. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the side in their distinctive colors choose to run with the ball.

Even though representing a distinctly UK town, they display a panache synonymous with the greatest French exponents of champagne rugby.

After Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have won the Premiership and gone deep in the continental tournament – beaten by their Gallic opponents in the ultimate match and ousted by Dublin-based club in a semi-final previously.

They lead the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and visit their West Country rivals on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, aiming for a first win at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who featured in 262 elite fixtures for various teams in total, had long intended to be a trainer.

“During my career, I never seriously considered it,” he remarks. “Yet as you mature, you realise how much you love the rugby, and what the real world looks like. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing work experience. You do the commute a few times, and it was challenging – you see what you possess and lack.”

Talks with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder resulted in a position at Northampton. Jump ahead several seasons and Dowson guides a team ever more filled with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for England versus the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a significant influence as a substitute in England’s flawless campaign while the fly-half, down the line, will inherit the fly-half role.

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

“It is a bit of both,” states Dowson. “I’d credit Chris Boyd, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the exposure they had as a unit is certainly one of the causes they are so united and so talented.”

Dowson also mentions Jim Mallinder, a former boss at their stadium, as a major influence. “I’ve been fortunate to be guided by really interesting individuals,” he adds. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my career, my management style, how I interact with people.”

Northampton play appealing football, which proved literally true in the example of the French fly-half. The Frenchman was involved with the Clermont XV beaten in the Champions Cup in April when Tommy Freeman notched a three tries. Belleau was impressed to such an extent to go against the flow of English talent joining Top 14 sides.

“A friend called me and stated: ‘We know of a fly-half from France who’s looking for a side,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘We don’t have funds for a overseas star. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for experience, for the chance to prove his worth,’ my friend informed me. That interested me. We met with Belleau and his language skills was incredible, he was eloquent, he had a sense of humour.

“We asked: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He answered to be coached, to be driven, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the French league. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he has been. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson says the emerging the flanker offers a particular energy. Has he encountered an individual similar? “Never,” Dowson replies. “Each person is unique but he is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be himself.”

Pollock’s breathtaking score against Leinster in the past campaign demonstrated his unusual ability, but a few of his expressive in-game behavior have resulted in accusations of arrogance.

“He sometimes comes across as cocky in his actions, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson says. “Furthermore Pollock is not joking around constantly. In terms of strategy he has contributions – he’s a smart player. I feel at times it’s depicted that he’s only a character. But he’s clever and good fun to have around.”

Few directors of rugby would claim to have sharing a close bond with a colleague, but that is how Dowson describes his connection with his co-coach.

“We both possess an inquisitiveness about different things,” he explains. “We have a reading group. He wants to see everything, wants to know everything, desires to try varied activities, and I think I’m the same.

“We converse on numerous topics away from the sport: films, books, thoughts, creativity. When we faced the Parisian club previously, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

One more date in Gall is looming: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the domestic league will be short-lived because the Champions Cup takes over next week. The French side, in the vicinity of the mountain range, are the opening fixture on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club travel to soon after.

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