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Northampton isn't exactly the most exotic spot on the planet, but its squad offers a great deal of thrills and drama.

In a place known for footwear manufacturing, you could anticipate kicking to be the Saints’ modus operandi. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold prefer to run with the ball.

Although representing a distinctly UK location, they exhibit a panache synonymous with the best Gallic masters of champagne rugby.

After 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 their Gallic opponents in the ultimate match and eliminated by Leinster in a penultimate round before that.

They lead the competition ladder after a series of victories and one tie and travel to Ashton Gate on Saturday as the sole undefeated team, chasing a first win at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who played 262 elite matches for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester combined, consistently aimed to be a coach.

“As a professional, I never seriously considered it,” he states. “Yet as you age, you understand how much you appreciate the sport, and what the real world entails. I had a stint at a financial institution doing work experience. You travel to work a few times, and it was tough – you realise what you do and don’t have.”

Discussions with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder led to a position at the Saints. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson manages a team ever more packed with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for England against the New Zealand two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a significant influence as a substitute in England’s successful series while the fly-half, eventually, will inherit the pivotal position.

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

“It's a mix of each,” states Dowson. “My thanks go to an ex-coach, who thrust them into action, and we had difficult periods. But the exposure they had as a group is undoubtedly one of the factors they are so tight and so talented.”

Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at their stadium, as a significant mentor. “I’ve been fortunate to be coached by exceptionally insightful people,” he notes. “Jim had a significant influence on my professional journey, my training methods, how I manage people.”

Saints execute entertaining football, which was clearly evident in the case of the French fly-half. The import was involved with the Clermont XV beaten in the European competition in the spring when Tommy Freeman scored a three tries. He admired the style sufficiently to buck the pattern of UK players moving to France.

“An associate rang me and said: ‘We know of a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a team,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘We don’t have funds for a imported playmaker. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He wants a fresh start, for the possibility to prove his worth,’ my contact told me. That caught my attention. We spoke to Anthony and his language skills was excellent, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.

“We asked: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He answered to be guided, to be challenged, to be facing unfamiliar situations and away from the domestic competition. I was saying: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson says the 20-year-old Henry Pollock provides a particular enthusiasm. Does he know an individual comparable? “Not really,” Dowson answers. “Everyone’s original but he is distinct and special in numerous aspects. He’s fearless to be authentic.”

The player's spectacular score against Leinster previously illustrated his freakish skill, but a few of his animated in-game antics have resulted in accusations of arrogance.

“At times seems cocky in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore Pollock is not taking the piss all the time. Tactically he has input – he’s not a clown. I believe sometimes it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s bright and good fun in the squad.”

Hardly any directors of rugby would describe themselves as having a bromance with a colleague, but that is how Dowson characterizes his relationship with Sam Vesty.

“We both have an inquisitiveness regarding various topics,” he explains. “We maintain a book club. He desires to explore all aspects, seeks to understand everything, aims to encounter different things, and I think I’m the same.

“We discuss lots of subjects away from the sport: cinema, reading, concepts, art. When we faced our French rivals last year, Notre-Dame was undergoing restoration, so we had a brief exploration.”

A further fixture in France is coming up: The Saints' reacquaintance with the domestic league will be brief because the European tournament takes over soon. Pau, in the shadow of the border region, are up first on matchday before the South African team visit soon after.

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