🔗 Share this article

This English town isn't exactly the most glamorous destination globally, but its squad offers an abundance of thrills and drama.

In a town known for shoe production, you might expect kicking to be the Northampton's main approach. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the squad in their distinctive colors prefer to run with the ball.

Even though playing for a distinctly UK location, they exhibit a style typical of the finest Gallic practitioners of attacking rugby.

From the time Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have won the domestic league and progressed well in the European competition – losing to a French side in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by Leinster in a semi-final before that.

They lead the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to their West Country rivals on matchday as the just one without a loss, seeking a maiden victory at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who played 262 top-flight games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, consistently aimed to be a trainer.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “But as you mature, you understand how much you enjoy the game, and what the everyday life looks like. I worked briefly at a banking firm doing work experience. You do the commute a few times, and it was tough – you see what you do and don’t have.”

Discussions with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder led to a role at Northampton. Jump ahead a decade and Dowson leads a roster increasingly packed with global stars: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles were selected for the Red Rose against the All Blacks two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a profound impact off the bench in the national team's perfect autumn while Fin Smith, down the line, will take over the No 10 jersey.

Is the development of this outstanding cohort due to the Saints’ culture, or is it luck?

“This is a mix of each,” says Dowson. “I’d credit Chris Boyd, who gave them opportunities, and we had challenging moments. But the experience they had as a collective is definitely one of the factors they are so tight and so talented.”

Dowson also namechecks Mallinder, another predecessor at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “I’ve been fortunate to be coached by exceptionally insightful people,” he adds. “Jim had a big impact on my rugby life, my training methods, how I interact with others.”

Saints demonstrate entertaining football, which became obvious in the case of their new signing. The Gallic player was part of the French club beaten in the continental tournament in last season when the winger scored a triple. The player liked what he saw sufficiently to go against the flow of UK players moving to France.

“A mate phoned me and said: ‘There’s a Gallic number ten who’s seeking a side,’” Dowson says. “I replied: ‘There's no money for a overseas star. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He desires experience, for the chance to challenge himself,’ my contact told me. That caught my attention. We had a conversation with him and his language skills was excellent, he was well-spoken, he had a witty personality.

“We asked: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He said to be coached, to be driven, to be outside his comfort zone and outside the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he proved to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson comments the emerging Pollock brings a particular vitality. Has he coached anyone like him? “No,” Dowson answers. “Everyone’s individual but Henry is distinct and special in many ways. He’s not afraid to be himself.”

The player's sensational try against the Irish side in the past campaign illustrated his freakish talent, but various his expressive on-field behavior have led to accusations of cockiness.

“On occasion seems cocky in his behavior, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson says. “Plus Henry’s not joking around constantly. Tactically he has contributions – he’s a smart player. I think on occasion it’s depicted that he’s just this idiot. But he’s bright and good fun in the squad.”

Hardly any directors of rugby would claim to have sharing a close bond with a head coach, but that is how Dowson characterizes his partnership with his co-coach.

“Together possess an inquisitiveness around diverse subjects,” he says. “We run a literary circle. He aims to discover everything, aims to learn all there is, aims to encounter different things, and I believe I’m the similar.

“We converse on many things outside the game: cinema, literature, ideas, art. When we played Stade [Français] previously, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a little wander around.”

One more match in France is coming up: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the Prem will be temporary because the Champions Cup takes over shortly. Pau, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, are the opening fixture on the coming weekend before the Pretoria-based club travel to the following weekend.

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