This English town is hardly the most glamorous spot globally, but its rugby union team provides an abundance of romance and adventure.
In a city renowned for footwear manufacturing, you might expect punting to be the Saints’ primary strategy. Yet under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in green, black and gold prefer to run with the ball.
Although embodying a distinctly UK town, they display a style synonymous with the finest Gallic practitioners of champagne rugby.
From the time Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have won the English top flight and advanced far in the continental tournament – defeated by Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and ousted by Dublin-based club in a semi-final before that.
They sit atop the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to Bristol on matchday as the only unbeaten side, aiming for a initial success at their opponent's ground since 2021.
It would be natural to think Dowson, who participated in 262 premier games for various teams altogether, always planned to be a trainer.
“When I played, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “Yet as you mature, you comprehend how much you appreciate the rugby, and what the real world is like. I worked briefly at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You travel to work a few times, and it was difficult – you see what you possess and lack.”
Talks with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder resulted in a job at the Saints. Move forward several seasons and Dowson guides a squad progressively crammed with national team players: prominent figures were selected for the Red Rose versus the the Kiwis two weeks ago.
The young flanker also had a profound impact off the bench in England’s perfect autumn while the fly-half, eventually, will inherit the fly-half role.
Is the development of this remarkable cohort attributable to the club's environment, or is it luck?
“It is a mix of each,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to Chris Boyd, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the exposure they had as a group is undoubtedly one of the factors they are so united and so gifted.”
Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, an earlier coach at their stadium, as a key figure. “I’ve been fortunate to be coached by exceptionally insightful personalities,” he notes. “Jim had a big impact on my professional journey, my management style, how I interact with people.”
Northampton demonstrate attractive the game, which proved literally true in the instance of Anthony Belleau. The Frenchman was a member of the Clermont XV defeated in the Champions Cup in the spring when the winger registered a triple. The player admired the style to such an extent to go against the flow of English talent heading across the Channel.
“An associate rang me and stated: ‘We know of a Gallic number ten who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘There's no money for a imported playmaker. Another target will have to wait.’
‘He’s looking for experience, for the possibility to test himself,’ my mate said. That caught my attention. We had a conversation with Anthony and his communication was outstanding, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.
“We asked: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He answered to be trained, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and away from the French league. I was saying: ‘Join us, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”
Dowson says the young the flanker brings a unique energy. Has he encountered an individual similar? “Not really,” Dowson answers. “Everyone’s unique but he is different and unique in numerous aspects. He’s unafraid to be who he is.”
His breathtaking try against Leinster in the past campaign illustrated his freakish talent, but various his demonstrative during matches behavior have led to claims of cockiness.
“At times comes across as overconfident in his behavior, but he’s far from it,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore Pollock is not joking around the whole time. In terms of strategy he has contributions – he’s no fool. I think on occasion it’s depicted that he’s only a character. But he’s clever and a positive influence to have around.”
Few coaches would describe themselves as enjoying a tight friendship with a colleague, but that is how Dowson describes his relationship with his co-coach.
“We both have an curiosity about different things,” he says. “We have a book club. He desires to explore everything, wants to know each detail, wants to experience varied activities, and I think I’m the similar.
“We discuss numerous things beyond rugby: cinema, literature, concepts, culture. When we faced the Parisian club in the past season, the cathedral was being done up, so we had a quick look.”
Another match in Gall is looming: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the domestic league will be temporary because the European tournament intervenes soon. The French side, in the shadow of the Pyrenees, are the opening fixture on the coming weekend before the Bulls visit soon after.
“I’m not going to be presumptuous sufficiently to {
