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This English town is hardly the most tropical destination on the planet, but its rugby union team offers a great deal of romance and adventure.

In a city renowned for boot‑making, you could anticipate kicking to be the Saints’ modus operandi. Yet under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in green, black and gold opt to retain possession.

Even though embodying a quintessentially English town, they exhibit a style synonymous with the finest French exponents of champagne rugby.

Since Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have secured the Premiership and gone deep in the Champions Cup – losing to a French side in last season’s final and ousted by Dublin-based club in a penultimate round before that.

They currently top the Prem table after four wins and a draw and visit Bristol on Saturday as the only unbeaten side, aiming for a maiden victory at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who participated in 262 premier games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester combined, always planned to be a coach.

“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “However as you age, you understand how much you love the rugby, and what the normal employment is like. I worked briefly at a banking firm doing work experience. You do the commute a several occasions, and it was tough – you grasp what you have going for you.”

Talks with club legends resulted in a position at the Saints. Fast-forward eight years and Dowson guides a squad ever more filled with global stars: prominent figures lined up for England against the All Blacks two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a significant influence as a substitute in the national team's successful series while the fly-half, in time, will assume the No 10 jersey.

Is the development of this outstanding cohort attributable to the team's ethos, or is it fortune?

“It is a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to the former director of rugby, who thrust them into action, and we had challenging moments. But the experience they had as a collective is definitely one of the factors they are so united and so gifted.”

Dowson also mentions Mallinder, another predecessor at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be coached by really interesting individuals,” he says. “Jim had a big impact on my rugby life, my management style, how I interact with individuals.”

The team execute entertaining the game, which proved literally true in the instance of the French fly-half. The Frenchman was part of the French club beaten in the continental tournament in the spring when Freeman notched a hat-trick. Belleau was impressed to such an extent to reverse the trend of English talent moving to France.

“A friend called me and stated: ‘We know of a Gallic number ten who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘We don’t have budget for a overseas star. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He desires a fresh start, for the opportunity to challenge himself,’ my contact told me. That caught my attention. We spoke to Anthony and his English was incredible, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.

“We asked: ‘What do you want from this?’ He answered to be trained, to be driven, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the French league. I was thinking: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a great person.’ And he proved to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson comments the emerging the flanker brings a particular vitality. Does he know a player like him? “No,” Dowson responds. “All players are unique but he is unusual and remarkable in numerous aspects. He’s fearless to be himself.”

His breathtaking try against their opponents last season demonstrated his exceptional talent, but various his expressive on-field actions have brought claims of cockiness.

“On occasion seems cocky in his actions, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson clarifies. “And he's not joking around the whole time. In terms of strategy he has contributions – he’s a smart player. I believe sometimes it’s depicted that he’s just this idiot. But he’s bright and good fun within the team.”

Few directors of rugby would claim to have having a bromance with a assistant, but that is how Dowson characterizes his partnership with Vesty.

“Sam and I have an inquisitiveness about diverse subjects,” he says. “We have a book club. He aims to discover all aspects, aims to learn all there is, desires to try new experiences, and I think I’m the alike.

“We talk about numerous subjects beyond rugby: cinema, reading, thoughts, creativity. When we met the Parisian club previously, the landmark was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

A further fixture in Gall is looming: The Saints' return with the domestic league will be brief because the European tournament takes over shortly. Pau, in the vicinity of the mountain range, are the opening fixture on matchday before the Pretoria-based club visit the following weekend.

“I refuse to be overconfident enough to {