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Northampton isn't exactly the most tropical destination on the planet, but its club provides plenty of romance and adventure.

In a city famous for shoe production, you would think boot work to be the Saints’ modus operandi. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold prefer to keep ball in hand.

Although embodying a quintessentially English town, they display a style typical of the greatest French exponents of champagne rugby.

From the time Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have secured the English top flight and gone deep in the continental tournament – defeated by their Gallic opponents in last season’s final and knocked out by the Irish province in a penultimate round before that.

They sit atop the competition ladder after a series of victories and one tie and head to Bristol on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, aiming for a maiden victory at their opponent's ground since 2021.

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

“When I played, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “However as you get older, you understand how much you enjoy the game, and what the normal employment entails. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing an internship. You do the commute a few times, and it was difficult – you see what you do and don’t have.”

Conversations with club legends resulted in a job at Northampton. Fast-forward a decade and Dowson manages a squad ever more packed with internationals: key individuals were selected for the Red Rose versus the New Zealand two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a significant influence from the replacements in the national team's flawless campaign while Fin Smith, in time, will assume the fly-half role.

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

“It is a bit of both,” comments 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 unit is certainly one of the causes they are so united and so talented.”

Dowson also namechecks Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at Franklin’s Gardens, as a significant mentor. “It was my good fortune to be coached by highly engaging personalities,” he notes. “Jim had a major effect on my career, my training methods, how I deal with people.”

Northampton demonstrate attractive the game, which proved literally true in the case of Anthony Belleau. The Frenchman was involved with the French club defeated in the continental tournament in the spring when the winger scored a three tries. Belleau was impressed enough to go against the flow of British stars heading across the Channel.

“A friend phoned me and remarked: ‘We've found a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a team,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘There's no money for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He wants a fresh start, for the possibility to prove his worth,’ my mate said. That intrigued us. We had a conversation with Belleau and his language skills was outstanding, he was eloquent, he had a sense of humour.

“We questioned: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He answered to be coached, to be challenged, to be facing unfamiliar situations and away from the French league. I was thinking: ‘Join us, you’re a great person.’ And he has been. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson states the young the flanker offers a unique vitality. Has he coached anyone comparable? “Not really,” Dowson responds. “Each person is individual but Henry is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be himself.”

The player's breathtaking touchdown against the Irish side in the past campaign showcased his unusual ability, but a few of his animated in-game antics have led to claims of arrogance.

“On occasion comes across as arrogant in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “Plus Henry’s not taking the piss all the time. Game-wise he has contributions – he’s no fool. I think on occasion it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s bright and good fun in the squad.”

Not many directors of rugby would describe themselves as having a bromance with a head coach, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with Sam Vesty.

“We both share an interest about different things,” he says. “We have a reading group. He aims to discover various elements, seeks to understand everything, desires to try different things, and I feel like I’m the same.

“We converse on numerous subjects away from the game: films, literature, ideas, art. When we faced our French rivals last year, Notre-Dame was undergoing restoration, so we had a little wander around.”

A further fixture in the French nation is approaching: The Saints' comeback with the English competition will be short-lived because the Champions Cup intervenes soon. The French side, in the shadow of the mountain range, are the initial challenge on Sunday week before the Bulls visit a week later.

“I’m not going to be arrogant to the extent to {