🔗 Share this article

This English town may not be the most tropical destination in the world, but its club delivers a great deal of thrills and drama.

In a town known for boot‑making, you would think punting to be the Saints’ primary strategy. But under leader Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors prefer to retain possession.

Even though embodying a quintessentially English location, they exhibit a style associated with the finest Gallic practitioners of attacking rugby.

From the time Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the English top flight and progressed well in the continental tournament – losing to their Gallic opponents in the previous campaign's decider and ousted by Dublin-based club in a semi-final previously.

They sit atop the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and head to Ashton Gate on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, chasing a first win at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who played 262 elite fixtures for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester combined, always planned to be a manager.

“During my career, I didn't really think about it,” he remarks. “Yet as you get older, you realise how much you enjoy the game, and what the real world entails. I worked briefly at a banking firm doing a trial period. You travel to work a several occasions, and it was difficult – you grasp what you have going for you.”

Discussions with former mentors led to a job at the Saints. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson leads a roster increasingly packed with global stars: key individuals lined up for England against the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a significant influence off the bench in the national team's perfect autumn while the fly-half, in time, will inherit the pivotal position.

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

“This is a mix of each,” states Dowson. “My thanks go to the former director of rugby, who thrust them into action, and we had some tough days. But the experience they had as a unit is undoubtedly one of the causes they are so united and so gifted.”

Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at Franklin’s Gardens, as a significant mentor. “It was my good fortune to be guided by highly engaging personalities,” he adds. “He had a significant influence on my rugby life, my management style, how I deal with individuals.”

Northampton demonstrate attractive the game, which became obvious in the instance of the French fly-half. The Gallic player was part of the Clermont XV beaten in the Champions Cup in the spring when the winger registered a hat-trick. Belleau liked what he saw sufficiently to go against the flow of English talent moving to France.

“A mate rang me and said: ‘We've found a French 10 who’s looking for a team,’” Dowson says. “I replied: ‘There's no budget for a overseas star. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He desires a fresh start, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my contact informed me. That intrigued us. We spoke to Belleau and his communication was excellent, he was articulate, he had a funny side.

“We questioned: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He said to be trained, to be challenged, to be in a new environment and outside the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he turned out to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson says the young Pollock provides a specific enthusiasm. Has he coached anyone like him? “No,” Dowson replies. “Everyone’s original but he is distinct and special in many ways. He’s not afraid to be himself.”

The player's sensational touchdown against Leinster last season illustrated his unusual skill, but various his animated on-field behavior have led to accusations of cockiness.

“At times comes across as cocky in his actions, but he’s not,” Dowson asserts. “Plus Henry’s not taking the piss the whole time. In terms of strategy he has contributions – he’s a smart player. I believe on occasion it’s portrayed that he’s only a character. But he’s bright and great to have within the team.”

Few directors of rugby would describe themselves as having a bromance with a head coach, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with Sam Vesty.

“We both possess an inquisitiveness around diverse subjects,” he says. “We run a reading group. He aims to discover all aspects, seeks to understand each detail, desires to try different things, and I think I’m the alike.

“We discuss lots of subjects beyond the game: cinema, reading, thoughts, art. When we met our French rivals in the past season, Notre-Dame was under renovation, so we had a brief exploration.”

One more date in France is coming up: The Saints' reacquaintance with the English competition will be short-lived because the European tournament takes over next week. The French side, in the foothills of the border region, are the initial challenge on the coming weekend before the South African team visit the following weekend.

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