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Northampton may not be the most tropical spot on the planet, but its rugby union team delivers an abundance of thrills and drama.

In a place known for shoe production, you would think kicking to be the Saints’ modus operandi. Yet under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in green, black and gold prefer to run with the ball.

Despite playing for a typically British community, they display a style synonymous with the finest Gallic masters of champagne rugby.

Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the Premiership and progressed well in the European competition – defeated by a French side in last season’s final and ousted by the Irish province in a penultimate round before that.

They lead the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and visit their West Country rivals on the weekend as the just one without a loss, aiming for a initial success at Ashton Gate since 2021.

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

“During my career, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “Yet as you age, you realise how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the normal employment entails. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing work experience. You do the commute a few times, and it was tough – you see what you do and don’t have.”

Discussions with club legends led to a job at the Saints. Jump ahead a decade and Dowson guides a team progressively crammed with global stars: prominent figures were selected for the national side facing the New Zealand two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a profound impact from the replacements in the national team's successful series while Fin Smith, down the line, will inherit the No 10 jersey.

Is the development of this exceptional cohort attributable to the club's environment, or is it chance?

“It is a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “I would acknowledge the former director of rugby, who thrust them into action, and we had difficult periods. But the experience they had as a unit is certainly one of the factors they are so tight and so skilled.”

Dowson also namechecks Mallinder, a former boss at their stadium, as a major influence. “I’ve been fortunate to be coached by exceptionally insightful people,” he adds. “He had a significant influence on my career, my coaching, how I interact with people.”

Northampton execute attractive rugby, which became obvious in the instance of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was involved with the French club overcome in the Champions Cup in the spring when Freeman notched a three tries. Belleau was impressed enough to buck the pattern of UK players heading across the Channel.

“An associate called me and stated: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson recalls. “My response was: ‘We don’t have funds for a French fly-half. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for new challenges, for the possibility to prove his worth,’ my mate told me. That intrigued us. We met with him and his communication was outstanding, he was articulate, he had a sense of humour.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He answered to be guided, to be driven, to be in a new environment and outside the French league. I was thinking: ‘Join us, you’re a great person.’ And he turned out to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the emerging the flanker offers a unique vitality. Has he coached a player comparable? “Never,” Dowson answers. “Each person is unique but he is different and unique in numerous aspects. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”

The player's breathtaking try against their opponents in the past campaign demonstrated his freakish talent, but various his demonstrative in-game antics have led to accusations of overconfidence.

“He sometimes comes across as cocky in his actions, but he’s far from it,” Dowson says. “Plus he's being serious all the time. Game-wise he has input – he’s a smart player. I think sometimes it’s portrayed that he’s only a character. But he’s clever and good fun within the team.”

Few managers would describe themselves as sharing a close bond with a colleague, but that is how Dowson frames his partnership with Vesty.

“Together possess an interest about different things,” he notes. “We have a book club. He desires to explore all aspects, aims to learn all there is, wants to experience new experiences, and I think I’m the same.

“We converse on lots of subjects beyond rugby: films, literature, thoughts, creativity. When we played Stade [Français] last year, the landmark was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

A further date in France is approaching: Northampton’s comeback with the English competition will be temporary because the European tournament takes over next week. The French side, in the foothills of the mountain range, are the opening fixture on the coming weekend before the Pretoria-based club arrive at a week later.

“I refuse to be arrogant enough to {