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Northampton is hardly the most tropical spot on the planet, but its squad offers plenty of thrills and drama.

In a city known for boot‑making, you might expect punting to be the Saints’ main approach. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors choose to retain possession.

Although representing a typically British community, they display a flair typical of the greatest French practitioners of champagne rugby.

After Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have won the Premiership and advanced far in the continental tournament – beaten by a French side in last season’s final and knocked out by the Irish province in a semi-final previously.

They currently top the league standings after four wins and a draw and head to Bristol on Saturday as the only unbeaten side, seeking a initial success at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 elite fixtures for various teams combined, always planned to be a coach.

“As a professional, I never seriously considered it,” he remarks. “But as you get older, you understand how much you appreciate the sport, and what the normal employment is like. I worked briefly at a banking firm doing an internship. You do the commute a multiple instances, and it was tough – you see what you possess and lack.”

Conversations with former mentors led to a position at Northampton. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson manages a squad ever more packed with national team players: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for the national side against the New Zealand two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a significant influence from the replacements in the national team's perfect autumn while the fly-half, in time, will inherit the pivotal position.

Is the rise of this exceptional group attributable to the Saints’ culture, or is it luck?

“It's a bit of both,” comments Dowson. “I would acknowledge the former director of rugby, who thrust them into action, and we had difficult periods. But the experience they had as a collective is definitely one of the factors they are so united and so gifted.”

Dowson also namechecks his predecessor, another predecessor at Franklin’s Gardens, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be coached by highly engaging personalities,” he adds. “Jim had a big impact on my professional journey, my coaching, how I manage others.”

The team play appealing the game, which was clearly evident in the case of their new signing. The Frenchman was part of the opposing team defeated in the Champions Cup in the spring when the winger registered a hat-trick. Belleau liked what he saw to such an extent to buck the pattern of British stars joining Top 14 sides.

“A friend phoned me and said: ‘We know of a Gallic number ten who’s seeking a club,’” Dowson recalls. “I replied: ‘We don’t have money for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He wants a fresh start, for the opportunity to challenge himself,’ my friend said. That interested me. We had a conversation with Belleau and his communication was excellent, he was articulate, he had a funny side.

“We asked: ‘What do you want from this?’ He said to be trained, to be pushed, to be facing unfamiliar situations and beyond the French league. I was saying: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he proved to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson states the young Henry Pollock provides a particular vitality. Has he encountered anyone similar? “Never,” Dowson answers. “Each person is original but Pollock is distinct and special in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be himself.”

His breathtaking score against Leinster last season demonstrated his freakish talent, but various his demonstrative on-field behavior have led to claims of cockiness.

“At times appears overconfident in his conduct, but he’s far from it,” Dowson asserts. “Plus Henry’s not joking around constantly. Game-wise he has input – he’s a smart player. I feel at times it’s portrayed that he’s only a character. But he’s clever and a positive influence within the team.”

Few directors of rugby would admit to having a bromance with a head coach, but that is how Dowson describes his connection with his co-coach.

“We both have an curiosity regarding different things,” he explains. “We run a reading group. He wants to see all aspects, seeks to understand all there is, wants to experience new experiences, and I believe I’m the same.

“We discuss lots of things beyond rugby: cinema, books, thoughts, creativity. When we played the Parisian club last year, the landmark was undergoing restoration, so we had a brief exploration.”

One more match in France is approaching: The Saints' comeback with the English competition will be brief because the European tournament takes over next week. Their next opponents, in the foothills of the border region, are the initial challenge on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club visit soon after.

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