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Northampton isn't exactly the most exotic spot on the planet, but its rugby union team delivers plenty of excitement and passion.

In a place renowned for shoe production, you would think boot work to be the Saints’ primary strategy. However under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the squad in the club's hues choose to keep ball in hand.

Despite representing a typically British location, they showcase a panache associated with the greatest French exponents of expansive play.

From the time Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have secured the domestic league and advanced far in the Champions Cup – losing to a French side in the previous campaign's decider and ousted by Dublin-based club in a semi-final previously.

They sit atop the league standings after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to Ashton Gate on Saturday as the only unbeaten side, chasing a maiden victory at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 elite fixtures for various teams combined, always planned to be a manager.

“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “However as you mature, you realise how much you enjoy the sport, and what the everyday life entails. I worked briefly at a banking firm doing work experience. You travel to work a multiple instances, and it was challenging – you see what you have going for you.”

Discussions with club legends culminated in a position at Northampton. Move forward a decade and Dowson guides a team progressively crammed with internationals: prominent figures were selected for the national side against the All Blacks two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a profound impact from the replacements in the national team's flawless campaign while the number ten, eventually, will assume the pivotal position.

Is the emergence of this remarkable group attributable to the Saints’ culture, or is it fortune?

“This is a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who gave them opportunities, and we had difficult periods. But the practice they had as a group is certainly one of the factors they are so united and so skilled.”

Dowson also mentions his predecessor, an earlier coach at their stadium, as a major influence. “I was lucky to be mentored by really interesting personalities,” he notes. “Jim had a major effect on my rugby life, my management style, how I deal with individuals.”

Saints play entertaining football, which became obvious in the instance of their new signing. The import was part of the French club beaten in the European competition in April when the winger scored a triple. He liked what he saw to such an extent to go against the flow of UK players joining Top 14 sides.

“An associate called me and remarked: ‘We know of a Gallic number ten who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson recalls. “I replied: ‘There's no money for a French fly-half. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the possibility to prove his worth,’ my contact told me. That interested me. We had a conversation with him and his language skills was incredible, he was articulate, he had a funny side.

“We questioned: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He responded to be trained, to be challenged, to be facing unfamiliar situations and outside the French league. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he has been. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson states the emerging the flanker offers a specific energy. Has he coached anyone comparable? “No,” Dowson replies. “Each person is unique but he is distinct and special in numerous aspects. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”

His spectacular touchdown against the Irish side last season illustrated his unusual skill, but some of his animated on-field antics have brought allegations of overconfidence.

“He sometimes seems cocky in his actions, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “And he's not joking around the whole time. Game-wise he has ideas – he’s not a clown. I think at times it’s portrayed that he’s only a character. But he’s bright and good fun in the squad.”

Not many managers would admit to enjoying a tight friendship with a head coach, but that is how Dowson characterizes his relationship with Sam Vesty.

“Together possess an inquisitiveness around different things,” he notes. “We run a reading group. He wants to see all aspects, aims to learn all there is, wants to experience varied activities, and I feel like I’m the alike.

“We discuss many topics away from the sport: cinema, literature, concepts, culture. When we faced Stade [Français] in the past season, Notre-Dame was undergoing restoration, so we had a little wander around.”

Another match in France is coming up: The Saints' comeback with the Prem will be temporary because the European tournament takes over shortly. Pau, in the vicinity of the mountain range, are the initial challenge on the coming weekend before the South African team travel to soon after.

“I refuse to be arrogant enough to {