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Northampton isn't exactly the most tropical spot on the planet, but its rugby union team provides an abundance of excitement and passion.

In a place known for boot‑making, you could anticipate boot work to be the Saints’ modus operandi. However under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in green, black and gold prefer to keep ball in hand.

Despite embodying a typically British community, they exhibit a style associated with the finest French masters of attacking rugby.

From the time Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have won the English top flight and gone deep in the continental tournament – defeated by Bordeaux-Bègles in the ultimate match and eliminated by the Irish province in a penultimate round earlier.

They sit atop the competition ladder after a series of victories and one tie and visit their West Country rivals on the weekend as the sole undefeated team, aiming for a maiden victory at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who played 262 elite matches for multiple clubs combined, had long intended to be a coach.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “Yet as you get older, you understand how much you enjoy the sport, and what the everyday life is like. I worked briefly at a financial institution doing an internship. You make the journey a few times, and it was tough – you grasp what you do and don’t have.”

Discussions with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder resulted in a position at Northampton. Move forward a decade and Dowson manages a squad progressively crammed with global stars: prominent figures were selected for the Red Rose facing the New Zealand two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a significant influence off the bench in England’s perfect autumn while Fin Smith, eventually, will assume the No 10 jersey.

Is the emergence of this exceptional generation because of the Saints’ culture, or is it luck?

“It is a combination of the two,” states Dowson. “I would acknowledge Chris Boyd, who basically just threw them in, and we had some tough days. But the experience they had as a collective is definitely one of the reasons they are so close-knit and so gifted.”

Dowson also namechecks his predecessor, another predecessor at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be mentored by really interesting people,” he adds. “He had a significant influence on my career, my training methods, how I manage others.”

Saints execute entertaining rugby, which proved literally true in the instance of the French fly-half. The Gallic player was involved with the Clermont XV beaten in the continental tournament in the spring when the winger registered a hat-trick. Belleau liked what he saw enough to reverse the trend of English talent heading across the Channel.

“A mate phoned me and said: ‘There’s a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson explains. “My response was: ‘We don’t have budget for a overseas star. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for a fresh start, for the chance to test himself,’ my mate said. That caught my attention. We met with him and his English was incredible, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.

“We questioned: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He said to be guided, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and beyond the French league. I was like: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson states the emerging the flanker brings a unique enthusiasm. Has he coached anyone comparable? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “All players are original but he is different and unique in numerous aspects. He’s unafraid to be who he is.”

His breathtaking score against Leinster last season illustrated his freakish ability, but some of his demonstrative during matches behavior have resulted in accusations of cockiness.

“On occasion appears overconfident in his conduct, but he’s far from it,” Dowson says. “Furthermore he's being serious all the time. Game-wise he has input – he’s no fool. I feel at times it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s bright and a positive influence within the team.”

Not many directors of rugby would admit to sharing a close bond with a head coach, but that is how Dowson characterizes his relationship with his co-coach.

“We both have an curiosity regarding diverse subjects,” he explains. “We maintain a reading group. He desires to explore all aspects, aims to learn all there is, aims to encounter varied activities, and I feel like I’m the alike.

“We converse on lots of things away from the sport: films, reading, thoughts, art. When we faced Stade [Français] previously, the landmark was under renovation, so we had a little wander around.”

A further date in Gall is coming up: The Saints' reacquaintance with the domestic league will be brief because the Champions Cup takes over next week. Pau, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on matchday before the South African team arrive at a week later.

“I won't be overconfident sufficiently to {