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Northampton is hardly the most tropical location on the planet, but its club offers an abundance of excitement and passion.

In a place known for boot‑making, you would think punting to be the Saints’ modus operandi. However under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the squad in their distinctive colors prefer to keep ball in hand.

Even though playing for a distinctly UK community, they exhibit a style synonymous with the finest Gallic practitioners of champagne rugby.

Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the Premiership and advanced far in the European competition – beaten by their Gallic opponents in the previous campaign's decider and eliminated by the Irish province in a penultimate round previously.

They lead the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to Ashton Gate on Saturday as the just one without a loss, seeking a maiden victory at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who participated in 262 top-flight fixtures for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, had long intended to be a trainer.

“During my career, I didn't really think about it,” he remarks. “Yet as you get older, you understand how much you love the game, and what the normal employment looks like. I worked briefly at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You travel to work a several occasions, and it was challenging – you realise what you have going for you.”

Talks with former mentors led to a position at Northampton. Fast-forward eight years and Dowson manages a squad ever more packed with global stars: key individuals lined up for the Red Rose facing the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a significant influence from the replacements in the national team's successful series while the number ten, in time, will take over the fly-half role.

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

“It's a bit of both,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to the former director of rugby, who gave them opportunities, and we had challenging moments. But the experience they had as a group is definitely one of the factors they are so united and so gifted.”

Dowson also mentions Jim Mallinder, an earlier coach at Franklin’s Gardens, as a major influence. “It was my good fortune to be guided by exceptionally insightful personalities,” he adds. “Jim had a big impact on my career, my training methods, how I interact with individuals.”

Northampton demonstrate attractive rugby, which became obvious in the case of the French fly-half. The Gallic player was involved with the Clermont XV beaten in the European competition in the spring when Tommy Freeman notched a three tries. He was impressed enough to reverse the trend of British stars heading across the Channel.

“A mate rang me and said: ‘We've found a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a club,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘We don’t have money for a overseas star. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He wants a fresh start, for the chance to test himself,’ my contact said. That caught my attention. We spoke to him and his communication was excellent, he was eloquent, he had a sense of humour.

“We questioned: ‘What do you want from this?’ He said to be guided, to be challenged, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the Top 14. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he proved to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the young the flanker provides a specific vitality. Does he know a player similar? “No,” Dowson responds. “All players are original but Pollock is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be who he is.”

His breathtaking touchdown against their opponents previously illustrated his unusual talent, but a few of his demonstrative on-field behavior have brought claims of arrogance.

“On occasion appears cocky in his behavior, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson says. “And Pollock is not joking around constantly. Tactically he has input – he’s a smart player. I think on occasion it’s depicted that he’s only a character. But he’s clever and great to have in the squad.”

Not many coaches would admit to enjoying a tight friendship with a head coach, but that is how Dowson frames his partnership with Sam Vesty.

“Sam and I share an inquisitiveness about diverse subjects,” he says. “We maintain a literary circle. He wants to see all aspects, wants to know all there is, wants to experience different things, and I think I’m the same.

“We talk about many subjects outside the sport: cinema, reading, concepts, culture. When we met the Parisian club in the past season, the landmark was undergoing restoration, so we had a little wander around.”

A further match in the French nation is coming up: The Saints' reacquaintance with the domestic league will be brief because the Champions Cup takes over soon. Pau, in the foothills of the mountain range, are the initial challenge on matchday before the Bulls arrive at the following weekend.

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