🔗 Share this article

Northampton isn't exactly the most glamorous spot globally, but its club delivers plenty of excitement and passion.

In a city known for footwear manufacturing, you would think punting to be the Northampton's primary strategy. But under leader Phil Dowson, the side in their distinctive colors prefer to keep ball in hand.

Although embodying a distinctly UK community, they display a flair typical of the greatest Gallic masters of expansive play.

After Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have secured the domestic league and gone deep in the continental tournament – losing to their Gallic opponents in last season’s final and ousted by the Irish province in a penultimate round before that.

They sit atop the league standings after four wins and a draw and head to their West Country rivals on the weekend as the just one without a loss, aiming for a initial success at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who featured in 262 top-flight fixtures for various teams combined, had long intended to be a trainer.

“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “But as you age, you realise how much you love the sport, and what the real world is like. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing an internship. You make the journey a multiple instances, and it was challenging – you realise what you have going for you.”

Talks with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a role at the Saints. Fast-forward a decade and Dowson manages a roster ever more packed with national team players: key individuals lined up for England against the All Blacks two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a profound impact as a substitute in the national team's flawless campaign while Fin Smith, in time, will assume the pivotal position.

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

“It is a bit of both,” states Dowson. “My thanks go to Chris Boyd, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the experience they had as a group is undoubtedly one of the causes they are so united and so gifted.”

Dowson also namechecks Mallinder, a former boss at their stadium, as a major influence. “It was my good fortune to be guided by exceptionally insightful personalities,” he notes. “He had a big impact on my rugby life, my coaching, how I deal with people.”

Saints demonstrate attractive football, which was clearly evident in the example of their new signing. The Gallic player was a member of the Clermont XV beaten in the Champions Cup in last season when the winger registered a three tries. The player liked what he saw to such an extent to buck the pattern of UK players moving to France.

“A friend called me and said: ‘We know of a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson recalls. “My response was: ‘We lack the money for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He desires new challenges, for the opportunity to prove his worth,’ my mate told me. That interested me. We had a conversation with Anthony and his English was outstanding, he was well-spoken, he had a witty personality.

“We asked: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He answered to be guided, to be challenged, to be in a new environment and beyond the Top 14. I was like: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson comments the 20-year-old Pollock offers a particular vitality. Has he encountered a player comparable? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “All players are original but Pollock is distinct and special in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”

The player's sensational score against the Irish side previously illustrated his freakish talent, but a few of his animated during matches actions have led to allegations of cockiness.

“He sometimes seems overconfident in his conduct, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson asserts. “And Henry’s not joking around the whole time. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I feel on occasion it’s portrayed that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and good fun in the squad.”

Few managers would admit to sharing a close bond with a colleague, but that is how Dowson frames his partnership with Sam Vesty.

“We both possess an inquisitiveness around different things,” he explains. “We run a literary circle. He wants to see all aspects, wants to know all there is, desires to try varied activities, and I believe I’m the alike.

“We discuss lots of topics beyond the game: movies, literature, concepts, creativity. When we met Stade [Français] last year, the cathedral was undergoing restoration, so we had a little wander around.”

One more fixture in France is looming: Northampton’s return with the English competition will be short-lived because the European tournament intervenes soon. Their next opponents, in the foothills of the border region, are the initial challenge on matchday before the Pretoria-based club travel to a week later.

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