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Northampton isn't exactly the most tropical spot on the planet, but its squad delivers a great deal of romance and adventure.

In a town renowned for footwear manufacturing, you would think boot work to be the Northampton's main approach. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors choose to run with the ball.

Although representing a distinctly UK location, they display a style synonymous with the finest Gallic practitioners of attacking rugby.

Since Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have won the domestic league and progressed well in the continental tournament – losing to a French side in last season’s final and eliminated by Leinster in a last-four clash previously.

They currently top the competition ladder after a series of victories and one tie and visit their West Country rivals on matchday as the sole undefeated team, chasing a maiden victory at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who featured in 262 top-flight matches for multiple clubs in total, consistently aimed to be a manager.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he remarks. “However as you age, you comprehend how much you enjoy the game, and what the normal employment is like. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You do the commute a multiple instances, and it was tough – you see what you do and don’t have.”

Talks with club legends culminated in a job at the Saints. Jump ahead several seasons and Dowson leads a roster progressively packed with internationals: key individuals lined up for England against the New Zealand two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a significant influence from the replacements in England’s perfect autumn while Fin Smith, eventually, will inherit the fly-half role.

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

“This is a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “My thanks go to the former director of rugby, who basically just threw them in, and we had some tough days. But the practice they had as a group is certainly one of the reasons they are so united and so skilled.”

Dowson also cites his predecessor, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a major influence. “I’ve been fortunate to be guided by really interesting individuals,” he says. “Mallinder had a big impact on my rugby life, my training methods, how I deal with people.”

Saints execute attractive rugby, which was clearly evident in the example of their new signing. The Gallic player was a member of the opposing team beaten in the continental tournament in April when the winger registered a hat-trick. Belleau was impressed to such an extent to reverse the trend of British stars moving to France.

“A mate rang me and stated: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s seeking a side,’” Dowson recalls. “My response was: ‘We don’t have budget for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He desires new challenges, for the possibility to test himself,’ my contact informed me. That caught my attention. We met with Anthony and his language skills was excellent, he was eloquent, he had a funny side.

“We asked: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He responded to be trained, to be driven, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the French league. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson states the emerging the flanker provides a specific enthusiasm. Has he coached an individual like him? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “Each person is unique but Henry is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s fearless to be himself.”

Pollock’s breathtaking score against their opponents last season illustrated his exceptional skill, but various his demonstrative on-field actions have resulted in allegations of overconfidence.

“At times seems cocky in his behavior, but he’s not,” Dowson says. “Furthermore Pollock is being serious the whole time. Tactically he has input – he’s not a clown. I feel on occasion it’s depicted that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and good fun within the team.”

Hardly any managers would describe themselves as having a bromance with a head coach, but that is how Dowson describes his connection with Sam Vesty.

“Sam and I possess an inquisitiveness around various topics,” he says. “We maintain a book club. He desires to explore everything, aims to learn all there is, aims to encounter new experiences, and I believe I’m the alike.

“We talk about many topics beyond the game: movies, literature, concepts, creativity. When we faced our French rivals last year, the landmark was being done up, so we had a quick look.”

One more date in the French nation is coming up: Northampton’s return with the English competition will be short-lived because the continental event kicks in shortly. The French side, in the vicinity of the mountain range, are up first on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club arrive at a week later.

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