🔗 Share this article

This English town is hardly the most glamorous spot on the planet, but its squad offers an abundance of romance and adventure.

In a city famous for boot‑making, you might expect boot work to be the Northampton's modus operandi. But under leader Phil Dowson, the squad in their distinctive colors opt to keep ball in hand.

Although representing a distinctly UK town, they display a flair typical of the best French masters of expansive play.

After Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the English top flight and gone deep in the continental tournament – beaten by a French side in the previous campaign's decider and ousted by Leinster in a penultimate round previously.

They lead the competition ladder after a series of victories and one tie and visit their West Country rivals on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, aiming for a maiden victory at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who participated in 262 top-flight games for multiple clubs combined, always planned to be a manager.

“When I played, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “Yet as you get older, you comprehend how much you enjoy the game, and what the everyday life looks like. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing work experience. You travel to work a several occasions, and it was difficult – you grasp what you possess and lack.”

Discussions with club legends led to a position at Northampton. Jump ahead several seasons and Dowson manages a roster ever more crammed with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles lined up for the national side against the All Blacks two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a major effect from the replacements in England’s flawless campaign while the fly-half, eventually, will take over the fly-half role.

Is the development of this exceptional cohort because of the team's ethos, or is it luck?

“It is a mix of each,” says Dowson. “My thanks go to an ex-coach, who gave them opportunities, and we had challenging moments. But the experience they had as a collective is certainly one of the reasons they are so tight and so skilled.”

Dowson also namechecks his predecessor, another predecessor at the club's home, as a major influence. “I’ve been fortunate to be mentored by really interesting individuals,” he adds. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my rugby life, my training methods, how I manage people.”

Saints demonstrate entertaining the game, which became obvious in the instance of their new signing. The Gallic player was part of the Clermont XV overcome in the European competition in the spring when Freeman registered a three tries. He liked what he saw enough to reverse the trend of English talent moving to France.

“A friend phoned me and said: ‘We've found a Gallic number ten who’s looking for a club,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘There's no money for a overseas star. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for new challenges, for the chance to prove his worth,’ my mate informed me. That intrigued us. We had a conversation with Belleau and his language skills was outstanding, he was articulate, he had a sense of humour.

“We questioned: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be guided, to be driven, to be in a new environment and away from the Top 14. I was like: ‘Join us, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he proved to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson states the 20-year-old the flanker brings a specific vitality. Does he know a player comparable? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “All players are individual but Henry is unusual and remarkable in many ways. He’s fearless to be authentic.”

Pollock’s spectacular touchdown against their opponents previously showcased his exceptional talent, but some of his expressive on-field antics have led to claims of cockiness.

“He sometimes seems overconfident in his behavior, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “Plus Pollock is not taking the piss all the time. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s not a clown. I believe sometimes it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and good fun within the team.”

Hardly any managers would claim to have sharing a close bond with a head coach, but that is how Dowson characterizes his relationship with Vesty.

“Sam and I possess an inquisitiveness regarding different things,” he explains. “We maintain a reading group. He wants to see various elements, wants to know everything, wants to experience varied activities, and I feel like I’m the similar.

“We converse on numerous things outside the sport: movies, reading, concepts, art. When we met Stade [Français] previously, the landmark was under renovation, so we had a brief exploration.”

One more date in France is approaching: Northampton’s comeback with the English competition will be short-lived because the Champions Cup intervenes next week. Pau, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, are up first on Sunday week before the Bulls arrive at a week later.

“I won't be presumptuous sufficiently to {