🔗 Share this article

This English town may not be the most exotic spot globally, but its squad offers an abundance of excitement and passion.

In a city known for footwear manufacturing, you might expect kicking to be the Northampton's primary strategy. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in green, black and gold choose to run with the ball.

Although playing for a distinctly UK community, they display a panache associated with the greatest Gallic exponents of expansive play.

From the time Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have secured the domestic league and progressed well in the European competition – losing to their Gallic opponents in last season’s final and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a penultimate round before that.

They currently top the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and travel to Bristol on the weekend as the sole undefeated team, chasing a first win at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 premier games for multiple clubs altogether, consistently aimed to be a coach.

“When I played, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “Yet as you age, you comprehend how much you love the rugby, and what the normal employment is like. I worked briefly at Metro Bank doing work experience. You make the journey a few times, and it was tough – you see what you do and don’t have.”

Talks with former mentors led to a job at the Saints. Move forward eight years and Dowson leads a team increasingly filled with global stars: prominent figures were selected for England facing the All Blacks two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a major effect from the replacements in the national team's flawless campaign while the number ten, in time, will take over the fly-half role.

Is the emergence of this outstanding group attributable to the club's environment, or is it fortune?

“It is a bit of both,” states Dowson. “I would acknowledge the former director of rugby, who thrust them into action, and we had some tough days. But the exposure they had as a group is certainly one of the reasons they are so united and so talented.”

Dowson also namechecks Jim Mallinder, a former boss at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be coached by exceptionally insightful people,” he adds. “Jim had a major effect on my career, my training methods, how I interact with individuals.”

Northampton play appealing the game, which was clearly evident in the example of their new signing. The Gallic player was part of the Clermont XV overcome in the Champions Cup in April when Freeman notched a three tries. Belleau admired the style enough to buck the pattern of English talent joining Top 14 sides.

“A mate called me and stated: ‘There’s a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson says. “My response was: ‘There's no funds for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for experience, for the chance to challenge himself,’ my contact said. That caught my attention. We met with Belleau and his English was outstanding, he was articulate, he had a sense of humour.

“We inquired: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He said to be guided, to be pushed, to be facing unfamiliar situations and beyond the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a great person.’ And he proved to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson states the 20-year-old Henry Pollock offers a particular vitality. Has he coached anyone comparable? “Never,” Dowson answers. “Each person is unique but Pollock is distinct and special in many ways. He’s fearless to be who he is.”

The player's sensational try against Leinster previously illustrated his freakish skill, but some of his expressive on-field antics have led to claims of arrogance.

“At times seems arrogant in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson says. “Plus Henry’s not joking around constantly. Tactically he has contributions – he’s a smart player. I feel on occasion it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s clever and great to have in the squad.”

Hardly any managers would claim to have enjoying a tight friendship with a colleague, but that is how Dowson describes his connection with Sam Vesty.

“We both have an inquisitiveness regarding various topics,” he says. “We have a reading group. He aims to discover various elements, wants to know everything, aims to encounter varied activities, and I think I’m the same.

“We discuss lots of things away from rugby: movies, reading, thoughts, creativity. When we played our French rivals last year, Notre-Dame was under renovation, so we had a brief exploration.”

One more match in France is looming: The Saints' comeback with the Prem will be short-lived because the European tournament takes over next week. The French side, in the vicinity of the mountain range, are the initial challenge on the coming weekend before the Bulls travel to a week later.

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