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Northampton may not be the most tropical location globally, but its rugby union team offers plenty of romance and adventure.

In a place renowned for footwear manufacturing, you might expect boot work to be the Saints’ main approach. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in green, black and gold choose to keep ball in hand.

Even though embodying a typically British location, they showcase a panache synonymous with the greatest French masters of attacking rugby.

From the time Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have claimed victory in the English top flight and advanced far in the European competition – losing to a French side in last season’s final and eliminated by Leinster in a semi-final before that.

They currently top the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and travel to Bristol on the weekend as the sole undefeated team, aiming for a first win at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who featured in 262 premier games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, always planned to be a trainer.

“As a professional, I never seriously considered it,” he says. “Yet as you age, you understand how much you enjoy the game, and what the real world looks like. I worked briefly at a financial institution doing work experience. You travel to work a multiple instances, and it was challenging – you see what you possess and lack.”

Discussions with club legends resulted in a job at Northampton. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson guides a roster progressively crammed with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles lined up for England versus the All Blacks two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a major effect off the bench in the national team's successful series while the number ten, eventually, will inherit the pivotal position.

Is the development of this remarkable cohort due to the club's environment, or is it luck?

“It's a mix of each,” states Dowson. “My thanks go to an ex-coach, who thrust them into action, and we had some tough days. But the experience they had as a unit is certainly one of the causes they are so close-knit and so skilled.”

Dowson also mentions his predecessor, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a major influence. “I’ve been fortunate to be guided by highly engaging people,” he adds. “He had a major effect on my professional journey, my training methods, how I manage individuals.”

Saints demonstrate entertaining football, which proved literally true in the case of the French fly-half. The Frenchman was involved with the opposing team defeated in the European competition in last season when Tommy Freeman registered a hat-trick. The player was impressed sufficiently to go against the flow of UK players joining Top 14 sides.

“An associate called me and remarked: ‘There’s a fly-half from France who’s in search of a team,’” Dowson says. “My response was: ‘We don’t have funds for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for a fresh start, for the chance to test himself,’ my mate informed me. That interested me. We spoke to him and his communication was excellent, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.

“We questioned: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He said to be guided, to be challenged, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he has been. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson comments the young Pollock brings a unique vitality. Has he coached a player like him? “Never,” Dowson replies. “Each person is original but he is different and unique in numerous aspects. He’s fearless to be authentic.”

His sensational score against Leinster in the past campaign illustrated his unusual talent, but some of his demonstrative on-field actions have brought claims of cockiness.

“At times appears overconfident in his conduct, but he’s far from it,” Dowson asserts. “Furthermore he's being serious the whole time. Game-wise he has contributions – he’s not a clown. I think at times it’s depicted that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and great to have within the team.”

Few managers would admit to sharing a close bond with a head coach, but that is how Dowson describes his connection with his co-coach.

“Together have an curiosity regarding diverse subjects,” he says. “We maintain a literary circle. He desires to explore all aspects, aims to learn everything, wants to experience new experiences, and I believe I’m the alike.

“We talk about numerous topics away from the sport: films, books, thoughts, art. When we met the Parisian club previously, the landmark was under renovation, so we had a brief exploration.”

A further fixture in France is approaching: The Saints' return with the Prem will be brief because the Champions Cup intervenes soon. The French side, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, are the opening fixture on Sunday week before the Bulls visit a week later.

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