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This English town may not be the most glamorous spot globally, but its squad offers a great deal of romance and adventure.

In a city renowned for footwear manufacturing, you could anticipate boot work to be the Saints’ main approach. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors prefer to run with the ball.

Despite embodying a typically British town, they display a panache typical of the finest French masters of attacking rugby.

After Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have claimed victory in the domestic league and advanced far in the continental tournament – losing to a French side in last season’s final and eliminated by Dublin-based club in a semi-final previously.

They currently top the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to their West Country rivals on the weekend as the sole undefeated team, aiming for a maiden victory at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who featured in 262 premier fixtures for multiple clubs combined, had long intended to be a manager.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “But as you mature, you realise how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the everyday life looks like. I worked briefly at a banking firm doing a trial period. You make the journey a several occasions, and it was challenging – you see what you have going for you.”

Conversations with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder resulted in a position at Northampton. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson leads a roster ever more crammed with national team players: prominent figures lined up for the Red Rose versus the New Zealand two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a major effect from the replacements in England’s successful series while the fly-half, eventually, will assume the No 10 jersey.

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

“This is a bit of both,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to an ex-coach, who basically just threw them in, and we had some tough days. But the experience they had as a unit is certainly one of the reasons they are so close-knit and so skilled.”

Dowson also cites his predecessor, another predecessor at their stadium, as a major influence. “I’ve been fortunate to be mentored by really interesting people,” he notes. “Jim had a significant influence on my professional journey, my coaching, how I interact with others.”

Saints demonstrate entertaining the game, which was clearly evident in the case of their new signing. The Gallic player was part of the French club beaten in the Champions Cup in the spring when the winger notched a hat-trick. He liked what he saw to such an extent to reverse the trend of British stars moving to France.

“A friend phoned me and said: ‘We've found a French 10 who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson explains. “I said: ‘We don’t have budget for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He desires a fresh start, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my mate said. That intrigued us. We met with him and his language skills was incredible, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.

“We asked: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He responded to be coached, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a great person.’ And he has been. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson states the young Pollock offers a specific energy. Has he encountered anyone comparable? “Never,” Dowson replies. “Each person is unique but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in numerous aspects. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”

Pollock’s spectacular try against the Irish side last season illustrated his exceptional skill, but some of his animated on-field behavior have resulted in claims of arrogance.

“He sometimes appears arrogant in his behavior, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson says. “Plus he's not taking the piss constantly. Tactically he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I think at times it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s clever and a positive influence to have around.”

Not many directors of rugby would admit to enjoying a tight friendship with a head coach, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with his co-coach.

“Sam and I have an curiosity about different things,” he says. “We maintain a book club. He aims to discover all aspects, seeks to understand all there is, wants to experience different things, and I think I’m the same.

“We talk about many things outside rugby: movies, reading, ideas, creativity. When we played our French rivals previously, the cathedral was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

A further date in Gall is coming up: The Saints' comeback with the Prem will be brief because the European tournament kicks in soon. Pau, in the shadow of the mountain range, are up first on matchday before the Bulls travel to the following weekend.

“I refuse to be arrogant enough to {