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This English town isn't exactly the most glamorous location in the world, but its club delivers an abundance of thrills and drama.

In a town known for shoe production, you could anticipate punting to be the Northampton's main approach. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in green, black and gold opt to retain possession.

Even though playing for a quintessentially English location, they display a style synonymous with the greatest Gallic masters of expansive play.

After Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the Premiership and gone deep in the European competition – losing to a French side in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a semi-final before that.

They currently top the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and visit their West Country rivals on Saturday as the sole undefeated team, seeking a maiden victory at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who participated in 262 premier games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, consistently aimed to be a trainer.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “Yet as you get older, you realise how much you appreciate the sport, and what the normal employment looks like. I spent some time at a banking firm doing an internship. You make the journey a few times, and it was challenging – you realise what you do and don’t have.”

Conversations with club legends led to a job at Northampton. Jump ahead several seasons and Dowson leads a roster increasingly crammed with internationals: prominent figures were selected for the national side against the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a major effect off the bench in the national team's flawless campaign while the number ten, eventually, will inherit the fly-half role.

Is the development of this exceptional group due to the club's environment, or is it chance?

“It's a bit of both,” comments 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 definitely one of the causes they are so close-knit and so gifted.”

Dowson also mentions Jim Mallinder, a former boss at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “I’ve been fortunate to be guided by highly engaging individuals,” he says. “Mallinder had a big impact on my rugby life, my coaching, how I deal with people.”

The team execute entertaining the game, which was clearly evident in the instance of the French fly-half. The Frenchman was part of the Clermont XV overcome in the European competition in April when Freeman registered a three tries. Belleau liked what he saw to such an extent to buck the pattern of UK players joining Top 14 sides.

“An associate rang me and remarked: ‘We've found a Gallic number ten who’s seeking a club,’” Dowson explains. “I said: ‘There's no money for a French fly-half. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for a fresh start, for the opportunity to prove his worth,’ my mate told me. That caught my attention. We had a conversation with Belleau and his language skills was excellent, he was eloquent, he had a funny side.

“We asked: ‘What do you want from this?’ He said to be coached, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and away from the domestic competition. I was saying: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a great person.’ And he has been. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson comments the emerging Pollock provides a unique energy. Does he know anyone comparable? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “All players are unique but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in many ways. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”

His sensational touchdown against the Irish side in the past campaign demonstrated his freakish skill, but some of his demonstrative in-game actions have resulted in allegations of arrogance.

“He sometimes seems overconfident in his actions, but he’s far from it,” Dowson clarifies. “Plus Pollock is being serious constantly. Tactically he has input – he’s not a clown. I feel at times it’s depicted that he’s only a character. But he’s bright and good fun within the team.”

Hardly any managers would claim to have having a bromance with a head coach, but that is how Dowson characterizes his partnership with his co-coach.

“We both share an inquisitiveness regarding various topics,” he notes. “We have a reading group. He aims to discover all aspects, seeks to understand all there is, aims to encounter new experiences, and I think I’m the same.

“We talk about lots of things outside rugby: movies, books, ideas, creativity. When we played our French rivals previously, the landmark was being done up, so we had a quick look.”

A further fixture in France is approaching: Northampton’s comeback with the domestic league will be brief because the Champions Cup kicks in next week. The French side, in the foothills of the border region, are up first on Sunday week before the Bulls travel to a week later.

“I won't be arrogant to the extent to {