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This English town isn't exactly the most tropical destination on the planet, but its club delivers an abundance of excitement and passion.

In a town renowned for footwear manufacturing, you could anticipate punting to be the Northampton's main approach. Yet under leader Phil Dowson, the team in the club's hues prefer to keep ball in hand.

Despite playing for a typically British community, they showcase a panache typical of the best French practitioners of attacking rugby.

From the time Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have secured the domestic league and gone deep in the continental tournament – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a last-four clash before that.

They lead the competition ladder after a series of victories and one tie and head to Ashton Gate on Saturday as the just one without a loss, seeking a initial success at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who participated in 262 premier matches for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester combined, consistently aimed to be a manager.

“When I played, I never seriously considered it,” he remarks. “But as you get older, you realise how much you appreciate the sport, and what the real world entails. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing work experience. You make the journey a few times, and it was tough – you realise what you do and don’t have.”

Talks with club legends led to a job at the Saints. Move forward eight years and Dowson guides a team ever more packed with internationals: key individuals started for England versus the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a significant influence off the bench in the national team's flawless campaign while Fin Smith, in time, will inherit the pivotal position.

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

“It is a mix of each,” says Dowson. “My thanks go to the former director of rugby, who thrust them into action, and we had some tough days. But the exposure they had as a unit is undoubtedly one of the factors they are so close-knit and so gifted.”

Dowson also mentions Jim Mallinder, a former boss at their stadium, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be guided by highly engaging people,” he adds. “He had a significant influence on my professional journey, my coaching, how I manage individuals.”

The team play entertaining rugby, which was clearly evident in the case of their new signing. The import was a member of the French club defeated in the European competition in last season when Tommy Freeman registered a three tries. He liked what he saw enough to go against the flow of British stars moving to France.

“An associate phoned me and said: ‘We've found a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a club,’” Dowson explains. “My response was: ‘There's no money for a French fly-half. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He wants new challenges, for the possibility to prove his worth,’ my mate informed me. That caught my attention. We had a conversation with Anthony and his communication was incredible, he was well-spoken, he had a witty personality.

“We inquired: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He responded to be trained, to be pushed, to be in a new environment and outside the French league. I was saying: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson comments the emerging the flanker offers a particular vitality. Has he coached a player similar? “No,” Dowson responds. “All players are individual but Henry is unusual and remarkable in many ways. He’s unafraid to be himself.”

His sensational try against the Irish side last season showcased his freakish ability, but a few of his animated on-field behavior have led to accusations of cockiness.

“On occasion comes across as arrogant in his behavior, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson says. “Furthermore he's not joking around the whole time. Tactically he has input – he’s not a clown. I feel at times it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s bright and great to have to have around.”

Hardly any managers would claim to have enjoying a tight friendship with a head coach, but that is how Dowson characterizes his partnership with Vesty.

“Sam and I have an inquisitiveness around different things,” he explains. “We run a literary circle. He wants to see all aspects, seeks to understand each detail, aims to encounter different things, and I think I’m the same.

“We discuss lots of things outside rugby: films, reading, concepts, art. When we played our French rivals in the past season, Notre-Dame was under renovation, so we had a brief exploration.”

A further date in France is looming: The Saints' return with the domestic league will be short-lived because the continental event intervenes shortly. Pau, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on matchday before the Pretoria-based club visit a week later.

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