🔗 Share this article

This English town isn't exactly the most glamorous destination in the world, but its club provides a great deal of thrills and drama.

In a town famous for shoe production, you would think kicking to be the Northampton's main approach. However under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the squad in the club's hues prefer to run with the ball.

Although playing for a typically British town, they display a style synonymous with the greatest Gallic masters of expansive play.

Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have won the Premiership and gone deep in the continental tournament – beaten by their Gallic opponents in last season’s final and ousted by the Irish province in a last-four clash earlier.

They sit atop the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and visit Bristol on matchday as the just one without a loss, chasing a first win at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who featured in 262 top-flight matches for multiple clubs altogether, had long intended to be a trainer.

“During my career, I never seriously considered it,” he says. “But as you get older, you realise how much you love the sport, and what the real world entails. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You make the journey a several occasions, and it was tough – you realise what you possess and lack.”

Discussions with former mentors culminated in a role at the Saints. Fast-forward a decade and Dowson guides a squad progressively filled with national team players: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles lined up for England facing the New Zealand two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a profound impact from the replacements in England’s perfect autumn while the fly-half, down the line, will take over the No 10 jersey.

Is the rise of this exceptional group because of the club's environment, or is it fortune?

“It is a mix of each,” comments Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who basically just threw them in, and we had challenging moments. But the exposure they had as a collective is certainly one of the causes they are so close-knit and so gifted.”

Dowson also cites Mallinder, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a key figure. “I’ve been fortunate to be mentored by really interesting people,” he notes. “He had a major effect on my rugby life, my training methods, how I interact with people.”

The team play appealing the game, which was clearly evident in the example of the French fly-half. The import was a member of the Clermont XV beaten in the continental tournament in April when the winger scored a three tries. The player liked what he saw sufficiently to go against the flow of UK players heading across the Channel.

“An associate phoned me and stated: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s seeking a side,’” Dowson says. “My response was: ‘There's no money for a French fly-half. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He wants a fresh start, for the chance to challenge himself,’ my friend told me. That interested me. We had a conversation with him and his language skills was incredible, he was well-spoken, he had a witty personality.

“We inquired: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He responded to be guided, to be challenged, to be outside his comfort zone and outside the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson comments the young the flanker brings a unique vitality. Has he coached anyone comparable? “No,” Dowson answers. “Each person is unique but he is distinct and special in many ways. He’s fearless to be who he is.”

Pollock’s breathtaking touchdown against their opponents in the past campaign demonstrated his exceptional talent, but a few of his demonstrative on-field actions have led to accusations of arrogance.

“On occasion appears cocky in his behavior, but he’s not,” Dowson says. “And he's being serious the whole time. Game-wise he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I feel on occasion it’s portrayed that he’s just this idiot. But he’s bright and good fun in the squad.”

Few managers would describe themselves as enjoying a tight friendship with a assistant, but that is how Dowson characterizes his connection with Sam Vesty.

“We both possess an interest regarding diverse subjects,” he says. “We run a reading group. He wants to see all aspects, seeks to understand all there is, desires to try new experiences, and I think I’m the same.

“We converse on numerous topics outside rugby: movies, books, concepts, art. When we played Stade [Français] previously, the cathedral was under renovation, so we had a quick look.”

A further fixture in France is approaching: Northampton’s comeback with the domestic league will be short-lived because the European tournament takes over shortly. Pau, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club travel to a week later.

“I won't be overconfident to the extent to {