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This English town may not be the most exotic spot on the planet, but its club provides plenty of excitement and passion.

In a town famous for boot‑making, you might expect punting to be the Saints’ primary strategy. Yet under leader Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors prefer to keep ball in hand.

Even though embodying a typically British community, they showcase a style associated with the best French practitioners of champagne rugby.

Since Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have claimed victory in the English top flight and gone deep in the Champions Cup – beaten by Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by the Irish province in a semi-final before that.

They sit atop the league standings after four wins and a draw and visit their West Country rivals on Saturday as the just one without a loss, aiming for a maiden victory at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who participated in 262 top-flight matches for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, consistently aimed to be a trainer.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “However as you age, you realise how much you appreciate the rugby, and what the real world looks like. I had a stint at a banking firm doing a trial period. You travel to work a few times, and it was difficult – you see what you do and don’t have.”

Discussions with club legends led to a role at the Saints. Fast-forward a decade and Dowson leads a team progressively crammed with national team players: key individuals lined up for the Red Rose facing the New Zealand two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a major effect as a substitute in England’s perfect autumn while the number ten, in time, will inherit the pivotal position.

Is the development of this outstanding generation due to the team's ethos, or is it chance?

“This is a mix of each,” says Dowson. “My thanks go to the former director of rugby, who basically just threw them in, and we had challenging moments. But the exposure they had as a unit is undoubtedly one of the causes they are so united and so skilled.”

Dowson also cites his predecessor, a former boss at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “It was my good fortune to be guided by exceptionally insightful people,” he says. “Jim had a big impact on my professional journey, my training methods, how I interact with others.”

Saints demonstrate attractive football, which proved literally true in the example of Anthony Belleau. The Frenchman was part of the opposing team beaten in the continental tournament in last season when Tommy Freeman notched a triple. The player admired the style sufficiently to buck the pattern of UK players heading across the Channel.

“A friend rang me and stated: ‘There’s a fly-half from France who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson says. “I replied: ‘There's no funds for a imported playmaker. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He wants a fresh start, for the opportunity to challenge himself,’ my mate said. That intrigued us. We spoke to Anthony and his communication was excellent, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.

“We questioned: ‘What do you want from this?’ He said to be guided, to be challenged, to be in a new environment and away from the French league. I was saying: ‘Join us, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he proved to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson states the 20-year-old the flanker offers a unique enthusiasm. Has he encountered a player like him? “No,” Dowson replies. “All players are individual but Pollock is distinct and special in many ways. He’s fearless to be who he is.”

The player's sensational score against the Irish side in the past campaign illustrated his exceptional ability, but some of his expressive on-field antics have brought allegations of overconfidence.

“On occasion seems overconfident in his actions, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore Henry’s not taking the piss constantly. Game-wise he has input – he’s not a clown. I feel sometimes it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and good fun in the squad.”

Few managers would describe themselves as sharing a close bond with a head coach, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with Sam Vesty.

“Together possess an inquisitiveness about various topics,” he says. “We have a literary circle. He aims to discover all aspects, aims to learn everything, desires to try different things, and I feel like I’m the same.

“We converse on numerous subjects outside the game: movies, books, thoughts, art. When we faced the Parisian club previously, the cathedral was under renovation, so we had a quick look.”

Another fixture in France is looming: Northampton’s return with the English competition will be brief because the European tournament intervenes next week. The French side, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, are up first on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club arrive at soon after.

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