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This English town may not be the most exotic location on the planet, but its rugby union team offers plenty of excitement and passion.

In a place famous for footwear manufacturing, you might expect kicking to be the Saints’ modus operandi. However under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in the club's hues prefer to run with the ball.

Although representing a typically British location, they showcase a panache typical of the finest French masters of expansive play.

Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have won the English top flight and progressed well in the continental tournament – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in the ultimate match and eliminated by Dublin-based club in a penultimate round earlier.

They sit atop the league standings after four wins and a draw and visit Ashton Gate on the weekend as the just one without a loss, seeking a maiden victory at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who played 262 premier fixtures for multiple clubs combined, had long intended to be a manager.

“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “However as you mature, you comprehend how much you appreciate the game, and what the real world is like. I spent some time at a banking firm doing a trial period. You travel to work a multiple instances, and it was tough – you realise what you do and don’t have.”

Conversations with club legends culminated in a role at Northampton. Jump ahead eight years and Dowson guides a roster increasingly packed with global stars: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles lined up for the Red Rose facing the New Zealand two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a profound impact off the bench in England’s flawless campaign while the fly-half, down the line, will take over the pivotal position.

Is the emergence of this remarkable cohort because of the club's environment, or is it luck?

“It is a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to the former director of rugby, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the practice they had as a collective is definitely one of the reasons they are so united and so gifted.”

Dowson also namechecks Mallinder, a former boss at their stadium, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be coached by highly engaging individuals,” he notes. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my rugby life, my management style, how I interact with individuals.”

Northampton demonstrate appealing football, which was clearly evident in the instance of the French fly-half. The Frenchman was a member of the French club defeated in the Champions Cup in April when the winger scored a hat-trick. The player liked what he saw enough to go against the flow of English talent moving to France.

“A mate called me and stated: ‘We've found a French 10 who’s looking for a side,’” Dowson recalls. “My response was: ‘We lack the funds for a imported playmaker. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He desires a fresh start, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my friend informed me. That intrigued us. We spoke to Anthony and his English was incredible, he was well-spoken, he had a witty personality.

“We asked: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He answered to be guided, to be challenged, to be outside his comfort zone and away from the French league. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he proved to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson comments the emerging the flanker brings a particular enthusiasm. Has he encountered a player like him? “Not really,” Dowson answers. “All players are unique but Henry is distinct and special in multiple respects. He’s fearless to be who he is.”

His sensational touchdown against the Irish side previously illustrated his unusual skill, but various his demonstrative during matches behavior have brought claims of overconfidence.

“On occasion seems cocky in his actions, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson asserts. “Plus Henry’s not taking the piss the whole time. In terms of strategy he has contributions – he’s no fool. I feel sometimes it’s depicted that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and a positive influence to have around.”

Hardly any directors of rugby would claim to have sharing a close bond with a colleague, but that is how Dowson characterizes his relationship with Vesty.

“We both possess an inquisitiveness regarding various topics,” he says. “We maintain a reading group. He wants to see everything, seeks to understand each detail, aims to encounter different things, and I believe I’m the alike.

“We converse on numerous subjects away from the sport: cinema, reading, ideas, creativity. When we faced our French rivals previously, the cathedral was being done up, so we had a quick look.”

Another match in France is approaching: Northampton’s comeback with the domestic league will be temporary because the European tournament takes over shortly. Their next opponents, in the shadow of the mountain range, are up first on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club visit soon after.

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