🔗 Share this article

Northampton isn't exactly the most tropical spot globally, but its squad offers plenty of excitement and passion.

In a place renowned for footwear manufacturing, you would think punting to be the Saints’ main approach. Yet under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in the club's hues opt to retain possession.

Despite representing a distinctly UK town, they display a flair typical of the best Gallic exponents of expansive play.

After Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have secured the English top flight and progressed well in the European competition – beaten by their Gallic opponents in the previous campaign's decider and eliminated by Dublin-based club in a semi-final before that.

They lead the league standings after multiple successes and a single stalemate and travel to their West Country rivals on Saturday as the only unbeaten side, seeking a maiden victory at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who participated in 262 elite games for various teams combined, consistently aimed to be a manager.

“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “But as you get older, you realise how much you enjoy the game, and what the everyday life is like. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You do the commute a several occasions, and it was challenging – you realise what you have going for you.”

Discussions with former mentors led to a role at Northampton. Move forward a decade and Dowson manages a squad increasingly crammed with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for the national side versus the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a major effect as a substitute in England’s successful series while the number ten, down the line, will inherit the fly-half role.

Is the emergence of this exceptional group due to the Saints’ culture, or is it fortune?

“It's a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to the former director of rugby, who basically just threw them in, and we had challenging moments. But the practice they had as a unit is undoubtedly one of the factors they are so united and so gifted.”

Dowson also cites his predecessor, a former boss at Franklin’s Gardens, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be guided by exceptionally insightful individuals,” he notes. “Jim had a big impact on my rugby life, my management style, how I interact with people.”

Saints execute attractive the game, which proved literally true in the case of their new signing. The Gallic player was a member of the Clermont XV overcome in the Champions Cup in the spring when Freeman registered a three tries. The player liked what he saw to such an extent to go against the flow of UK players moving to France.

“A mate phoned me and stated: ‘We've found a fly-half from France who’s in search of a team,’” Dowson recalls. “My response was: ‘We lack the funds for a imported playmaker. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for experience, for the opportunity to prove his worth,’ my contact said. That caught my attention. We met with Belleau and his language skills was incredible, he was eloquent, he had a sense of humour.

“We asked: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He answered to be coached, to be driven, to be in a new environment and away from the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he has been. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the young Henry Pollock offers a specific vitality. Has he encountered an individual like him? “Never,” Dowson responds. “Everyone’s original but he is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s fearless to be himself.”

His breathtaking score against the Irish side in the past campaign illustrated his exceptional skill, but a few of his animated during matches actions have brought claims of arrogance.

“He sometimes comes across as cocky in his actions, but he’s not,” Dowson asserts. “Plus Henry’s being serious constantly. Tactically he has input – he’s no fool. I think at times it’s depicted that he’s merely a joker. But he’s intelligent and a positive influence within the team.”

Not many managers would admit to sharing a close bond with a head coach, but that is how Dowson frames his partnership with Vesty.

“Sam and I share an curiosity about various topics,” he notes. “We run a literary circle. He desires to explore everything, seeks to understand all there is, desires to try new experiences, and I believe I’m the same.

“We discuss numerous subjects beyond the sport: films, books, thoughts, creativity. When we played Stade [Français] previously, the cathedral was being done up, so we had a quick look.”

A further match in France is approaching: Northampton’s return with the Prem will be short-lived because the European tournament takes over soon. Their next opponents, in the shadow of the mountain range, are up first on Sunday week before the Bulls visit a week later.

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