Northampton is hardly the most tropical spot globally, but its club delivers plenty of excitement and passion.
In a town famous for boot‑making, you might expect boot work to be the Saints’ modus operandi. Yet under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the squad in the club's hues choose to run with the ball.
Despite embodying a distinctly UK community, they display a flair typical of the best Gallic exponents of champagne rugby.
Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have won the English top flight and progressed well in the Champions Cup – losing to a French side in the ultimate match and eliminated by Leinster in a semi-final earlier.
They lead the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and travel to Bristol on matchday as the just one without a loss, seeking a maiden victory at their opponent's ground since 2021.
It would be expected to think Dowson, who played 262 elite games for multiple clubs in total, always planned to be a coach.
“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “Yet as you age, you comprehend how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the real world is like. I had a stint at a financial institution doing work experience. You make the journey a few times, and it was difficult – you grasp what you have going for you.”
Discussions with former mentors led to a position at the Saints. Jump ahead several seasons and Dowson leads a roster ever more crammed with national team players: prominent figures lined up for England against the the Kiwis two weeks ago.
The young flanker also had a major effect as a substitute in England’s perfect autumn while the fly-half, down the line, will assume the pivotal position.
Is the emergence of this outstanding group due to the team's ethos, or is it chance?
“It's a combination of the two,” states Dowson. “My thanks go to the former director of rugby, who thrust them into action, and we had challenging moments. But the experience they had as a group is undoubtedly one of the causes they are so tight and so skilled.”
Dowson also cites Mallinder, a former boss at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be mentored by really interesting individuals,” he says. “Jim had a significant influence on my rugby life, my coaching, how I deal with others.”
Saints execute attractive rugby, which was clearly evident in the case of the French fly-half. The Frenchman was involved with the opposing team defeated in the European competition in last season when Freeman notched a hat-trick. The player liked what he saw to such an extent to go against the flow of British stars moving to France.
“A mate rang me and remarked: ‘There’s a Gallic number ten who’s seeking a club,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘There's no budget for a overseas star. Another target will have to wait.’
‘He’s looking for experience, for the chance to prove his worth,’ my friend said. That intrigued us. We met with him and his language skills was excellent, he was eloquent, he had a funny side.
“We asked: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be trained, to be challenged, to be facing unfamiliar situations and outside the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he proved to be. We’re blessed to have him.”
Dowson comments the young Henry Pollock provides a particular energy. Has he encountered anyone like him? “Never,” Dowson answers. “Everyone’s original but Henry is unusual and remarkable in many ways. He’s fearless to be himself.”
His spectacular score against the Irish side in the past campaign demonstrated his freakish skill, but various his expressive during matches antics have resulted in allegations of overconfidence.
“At times comes across as arrogant in his conduct, but he’s far from it,” Dowson asserts. “And Pollock is being serious constantly. Tactically he has input – he’s no fool. I think at times it’s portrayed that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and good fun to have around.”
Not many managers would claim to have having a bromance with a colleague, but that is how Dowson frames his partnership with Vesty.
“We both have an curiosity around various topics,” he explains. “We maintain a reading group. He aims to discover everything, seeks to understand all there is, aims to encounter new experiences, and I believe I’m the alike.
“We converse on lots of things beyond the sport: films, reading, concepts, creativity. When we played Stade [Français] previously, Notre-Dame was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”
One more date in France is looming: The Saints' reacquaintance with the domestic league will be brief because the Champions Cup intervenes soon. The French side, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on the coming weekend before the South African team arrive at soon after.
“I refuse to be overconfident to the extent to {
