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Northampton isn't exactly the most exotic spot in the world, but its club offers an abundance of excitement and passion.

In a city famous for shoe production, you could anticipate boot work to be the Saints’ primary strategy. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in the club's hues opt to retain possession.

Even though embodying a distinctly UK location, they exhibit a flair synonymous with the greatest French practitioners of champagne rugby.

Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have secured the Premiership and gone deep in the Champions Cup – defeated by Bordeaux-Bègles in the ultimate match and ousted 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 travel to Ashton Gate on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, chasing a first win at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who featured in 262 elite fixtures for multiple clubs in total, always planned to be a trainer.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “But as you get older, you understand how much you love the game, and what the everyday life entails. I spent some time at a banking firm doing a trial period. You travel to work a multiple instances, and it was difficult – you see what you have going for you.”

Discussions with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a job at the Saints. Move forward eight years and Dowson leads a roster progressively crammed with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles lined up for the Red Rose facing the All Blacks two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a major effect from the replacements in the national team's perfect autumn while Fin Smith, eventually, will inherit the fly-half role.

Is the emergence of this outstanding generation attributable to the team's ethos, or is it fortune?

“This is a bit of both,” comments Dowson. “I’d credit an ex-coach, who basically just threw them in, and we had difficult periods. But the experience they had as a collective is definitely one of the causes they are so united and so talented.”

Dowson also mentions his predecessor, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a major influence. “I’ve been fortunate to be mentored by exceptionally insightful personalities,” he adds. “Mallinder had a major effect on my professional journey, my training methods, how I deal with individuals.”

Saints play entertaining rugby, which was clearly evident in the case of their new signing. The Frenchman was part of the opposing team defeated in the Champions Cup in April when the winger notched a hat-trick. He admired the style sufficiently to go against the flow of English talent heading across the Channel.

“A mate rang me and remarked: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson says. “My response was: ‘We lack the funds for a imported playmaker. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He wants new challenges, for the chance to challenge himself,’ my friend said. That caught my attention. We spoke to Anthony and his communication was excellent, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.

“We inquired: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He said to be coached, to be pushed, to be in a new environment and beyond the domestic competition. I was saying: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he proved to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson comments the 20-year-old the flanker brings a unique enthusiasm. Has he encountered anyone like him? “Never,” Dowson replies. “All players are original but Henry is distinct and special in many ways. He’s unafraid to be who he is.”

His spectacular try against the Irish side previously demonstrated his exceptional ability, but a few of his expressive on-field actions have led to claims of cockiness.

“At times comes across as arrogant in his behavior, but he’s far from it,” Dowson clarifies. “And Henry’s not taking the piss all the time. In terms of strategy he has input – he’s not a clown. I think at times it’s depicted that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and good fun to have around.”

Few directors of rugby would claim to have having a bromance with a assistant, but that is how Dowson characterizes his connection with Vesty.

“Together have an inquisitiveness about different things,” he says. “We maintain a literary circle. He desires to explore various elements, wants to know each detail, wants to experience different things, and I think I’m the similar.

“We converse on many subjects away from rugby: films, literature, ideas, creativity. When we met the Parisian club previously, the cathedral was under renovation, so we had a quick look.”

A further match in France is approaching: The Saints' comeback with the English competition will be brief because the Champions Cup kicks in shortly. Pau, in the foothills of the mountain range, are the initial challenge on matchday before the Bulls travel to the following weekend.

“I’m not going to be overconfident enough to {