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Northampton is hardly the most exotic location globally, but its squad provides a great deal of excitement and passion.

In a town famous for footwear manufacturing, you could anticipate punting to be the Saints’ main approach. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the side in the club's hues opt to retain possession.

Despite embodying a distinctly UK location, they display a panache associated with the best French masters of expansive play.

After Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have secured the domestic league and advanced far in the Champions Cup – defeated by a French side in the previous campaign's decider and ousted by Dublin-based club in a penultimate round before that.

They currently top the competition ladder after a series of victories and one tie and head to their West Country rivals on matchday as the only unbeaten side, seeking a initial success at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 elite matches for various teams combined, had long intended to be a trainer.

“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “However as you age, you comprehend how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the normal employment is like. I worked briefly at Metro Bank doing an internship. You travel to work a few times, and it was tough – you see what you have going for you.”

Talks with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a position at the Saints. Move forward a decade and Dowson manages a squad progressively crammed with global stars: key individuals lined up for England against the All Blacks two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a significant influence as a substitute in the national team's successful series while Fin Smith, in time, will take over the No 10 jersey.

Is the development of this outstanding generation attributable to the team's ethos, or is it chance?

“It's a bit of both,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to the former director of rugby, who thrust them into action, and we had some tough days. But the practice they had as a group is certainly one of the reasons they are so tight and so gifted.”

Dowson also mentions Jim Mallinder, a former boss at their stadium, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be guided by really interesting people,” he notes. “He had a major effect on my rugby life, my training methods, how I manage people.”

Saints demonstrate attractive the game, which proved literally true in the case of their new signing. The Frenchman was a member of the Clermont XV defeated in the continental tournament in last season when Freeman scored a triple. The player was impressed to such an extent to buck the pattern of English talent joining Top 14 sides.

“A mate phoned me and said: ‘There’s a fly-half from France who’s seeking a club,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘We don’t have funds for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He wants new challenges, for the possibility to test himself,’ my contact said. That intrigued us. We met with him and his English was excellent, he was articulate, he had a sense of humour.

“We asked: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He said to be guided, to be driven, to be outside his comfort zone and outside the French league. I was like: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he proved to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson comments the emerging Pollock offers a particular vitality. Has he encountered an individual similar? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “Each person is individual but he is different and unique in many ways. He’s fearless to be authentic.”

His spectacular touchdown against the Irish side in the past campaign showcased his exceptional talent, but some of his demonstrative in-game antics have resulted in accusations of overconfidence.

“At times appears overconfident in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson says. “And he's being serious constantly. Tactically he has input – he’s a smart player. I feel on occasion it’s depicted that he’s merely a joker. But he’s clever and a positive influence within the team.”

Hardly any directors of rugby would admit to enjoying a tight friendship with a colleague, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with his co-coach.

“Sam and I have an inquisitiveness regarding various topics,” he says. “We have a literary circle. He desires to explore everything, seeks to understand each detail, aims to encounter new experiences, and I think I’m the alike.

“We talk about many subjects outside rugby: movies, reading, ideas, culture. When we met the Parisian club in the past season, the landmark was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”

Another date in the French nation is approaching: The Saints' comeback with the domestic league will be brief because the European tournament kicks in shortly. The French side, in the vicinity of the mountain range, are up first on the coming weekend before the South African team visit the following weekend.

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