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This English town may not be the most tropical location on the planet, but its rugby union team offers an abundance of thrills and drama.

In a town known for shoe production, you could anticipate punting to be the Saints’ main approach. Yet under leader Phil Dowson, the squad in the club's hues opt to keep ball in hand.

Although embodying a quintessentially English town, they exhibit a style synonymous with the best Gallic practitioners of attacking rugby.

Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have won the domestic league and gone deep in the European competition – defeated by Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and eliminated by the Irish province in a semi-final previously.

They sit atop the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to Ashton Gate on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, chasing a initial success at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who played 262 premier matches for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester combined, had long intended to be a manager.

“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “However as you mature, you comprehend how much you appreciate the game, and what the normal employment entails. I worked briefly at a financial institution doing a trial period. You do the commute a few times, and it was tough – you grasp what you have going for you.”

Conversations with club legends resulted in a position at the Saints. Move forward several seasons and Dowson manages a team progressively filled with internationals: key individuals were selected for the national side facing the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a profound impact off the bench in England’s flawless campaign while Fin Smith, eventually, will inherit the No 10 jersey.

Is the development of this remarkable group because of the club's environment, or is it fortune?

“It is a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “My thanks go to Chris Boyd, who gave them opportunities, and we had challenging moments. But the experience they had as a unit is definitely one of the reasons they are so close-knit and so gifted.”

Dowson also mentions his predecessor, an earlier coach at Franklin’s Gardens, as a major influence. “I’ve been fortunate to be coached by exceptionally insightful individuals,” he says. “Jim had a big impact on my career, my management style, how I deal with people.”

The team play entertaining 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 European competition in the spring when the winger scored a hat-trick. Belleau liked what he saw sufficiently to go against the flow of English talent joining Top 14 sides.

“An associate phoned me and said: ‘We've found a fly-half from France who’s in search of a team,’” Dowson says. “My response was: ‘We lack the budget for a French fly-half. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He wants new challenges, for the opportunity to prove his worth,’ my contact informed me. That intrigued us. We met with him and his language skills was excellent, he was articulate, he had a sense of humour.

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

Dowson comments the young Henry Pollock offers a specific enthusiasm. Has he coached anyone comparable? “Not really,” Dowson responds. “Everyone’s unique but he is distinct and special in many ways. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”

His spectacular score against the Irish side in the past campaign showcased his exceptional talent, but some of his demonstrative on-field antics have resulted in accusations of arrogance.

“On occasion appears cocky in his conduct, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson says. “And Pollock is not joking around all the time. Game-wise he has ideas – he’s no fool. I believe on occasion it’s portrayed that he’s only a character. But he’s bright and good fun to have around.”

Not many managers would claim to have enjoying a tight friendship with a head coach, but that is how Dowson characterizes his partnership with his co-coach.

“We both share an curiosity around different things,” he says. “We run a reading group. He wants to see all aspects, wants to know all there is, wants to experience new experiences, and I think I’m the alike.

“We converse on lots of subjects outside the game: movies, literature, thoughts, culture. When we met our French rivals last year, the landmark was undergoing restoration, so we had a little wander around.”

Another match in France is coming up: Northampton’s return with the domestic league will be temporary because the Champions Cup takes over soon. Pau, in the foothills of the border region, are up first on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club arrive at soon after.

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