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Northampton isn't exactly the most glamorous destination globally, but its squad delivers plenty of romance and adventure.

In a town renowned for shoe production, you could anticipate punting to be the Saints’ main approach. Yet under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the team in green, black and gold choose to run with the ball.

Despite playing for a quintessentially English community, they showcase a style typical of the greatest Gallic masters of champagne rugby.

From the time Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the Premiership and advanced far in the Champions Cup – beaten by a French side in the previous campaign's decider and ousted by Dublin-based club in a semi-final before that.

They sit atop the league standings after four wins and a draw and travel to Bristol on matchday as the just one without a loss, aiming for a first win at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who played 262 top-flight games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, consistently aimed to be a trainer.

“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “Yet as you get older, you comprehend how much you enjoy the game, and what the real world is like. I spent some time at a financial institution doing work experience. You travel to work a few times, and it was tough – you realise what you do and don’t have.”

Discussions with club legends led to a role at Northampton. Move forward several seasons and Dowson manages a team increasingly filled with global stars: key individuals started for the national side against the New Zealand two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a significant influence as a substitute in England’s flawless campaign while the number ten, in time, will take over the fly-half role.

Is the emergence of this remarkable group because of the Saints’ culture, or is it luck?

“It is a bit of both,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to Chris Boyd, who thrust them into action, and we had difficult periods. But the exposure they had as a collective is certainly one of the factors they are so close-knit and so talented.”

Dowson also namechecks Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at their stadium, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be mentored by exceptionally insightful individuals,” he says. “Jim had a big impact on my career, my training methods, how I manage individuals.”

The team play attractive rugby, which was clearly evident in the instance of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was part of the opposing team overcome in the European competition in last season when Freeman scored a triple. The player admired the style 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 in search of a side,’” Dowson recalls. “I replied: ‘There's no money for a imported playmaker. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the possibility to prove his worth,’ my mate told me. That intrigued us. We had a conversation with him and his language skills was incredible, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.

“We inquired: ‘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 saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he proved to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson comments the 20-year-old Pollock provides a unique enthusiasm. Does he know anyone like him? “No,” Dowson responds. “All players are individual but Pollock is distinct and special in numerous aspects. He’s unafraid to be himself.”

His sensational score against Leinster in the past campaign showcased his freakish talent, but a few of his expressive in-game antics have brought accusations of cockiness.

“At times comes across as cocky in his behavior, but he’s far from it,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore Pollock is not joking around all the time. Tactically he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I think sometimes it’s depicted that he’s just this idiot. But he’s clever and a positive influence to have around.”

Few directors of rugby would describe themselves as enjoying a tight friendship with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with his co-coach.

“Together possess an inquisitiveness regarding different things,” he notes. “We run a book club. He wants to see all aspects, seeks to understand all there is, desires to try different things, and I think I’m the alike.

“We talk about lots of subjects outside the game: movies, reading, concepts, creativity. When we played Stade [Français] last year, the landmark was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”

A further match in Gall is looming: Northampton’s return with the English competition will be brief because the European tournament intervenes next week. The French side, in the vicinity of the mountain range, are the initial challenge on the coming weekend before the South African team visit a week later.

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