🔗 Share this article

This English town isn't exactly the most exotic spot on the planet, but its rugby union team delivers an abundance of thrills and drama.

In a town renowned for shoe production, you could anticipate punting to be the Northampton's primary strategy. But under leader Phil Dowson, the team in the club's hues opt to run with the ball.

Despite embodying a distinctly UK location, they exhibit a style typical of the finest Gallic masters of attacking rugby.

Since Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the Premiership and advanced far in the European competition – losing to their Gallic opponents in last season’s final and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a penultimate round before that.

They lead the Prem table after four wins and a draw and travel to Bristol on matchday as the sole undefeated team, seeking a first win at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who featured in 262 top-flight games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, had long intended to be a manager.

“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he states. “However as you age, you understand how much you appreciate the rugby, and what the everyday life looks like. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You do the commute a several occasions, and it was tough – you see what you possess and lack.”

Discussions with club legends led to a role at the Saints. Fast-forward a decade and Dowson manages a team ever more crammed with national team players: prominent figures started for the Red Rose against the New Zealand two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a significant influence as a substitute in England’s perfect autumn while the number ten, eventually, will inherit the fly-half role.

Is the rise of this exceptional group attributable to the club's environment, or is it luck?

“This is a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to an ex-coach, who gave them opportunities, and we had challenging moments. But the exposure they had as a collective is undoubtedly one of the reasons they are so tight and so gifted.”

Dowson also mentions Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at the club's home, as a major influence. “I was lucky to be coached by really interesting individuals,” he says. “He had a significant influence on my professional journey, my management style, how I deal with others.”

Northampton demonstrate appealing the game, which was clearly evident in the instance of their new signing. The Gallic player was part of the French club defeated in the Champions Cup in April when Tommy Freeman scored a triple. The player was impressed enough to reverse the trend of UK players joining Top 14 sides.

“A mate phoned me and said: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s in search of a team,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘We don’t have money for a French fly-half. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for experience, for the opportunity to prove his worth,’ my mate said. That interested me. We spoke to him and his language skills was incredible, he was well-spoken, he had a funny side.

“We questioned: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He answered to be guided, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and away from the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he has been. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson comments the emerging the flanker brings a particular energy. Does he know an individual similar? “Not really,” Dowson answers. “Each person is individual but Henry is distinct and special in many ways. He’s not afraid to be who he is.”

The player's spectacular score against the Irish side last season showcased his exceptional talent, but some of his expressive in-game behavior have resulted in allegations of overconfidence.

“He sometimes comes across as overconfident in his conduct, but he’s far from it,” Dowson clarifies. “Plus he's being serious constantly. Tactically he has ideas – he’s no fool. I feel on occasion it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s clever and great to have to have around.”

Hardly any directors of rugby would admit to enjoying a tight friendship with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with his co-coach.

“Sam and I share an curiosity around diverse subjects,” he says. “We maintain a literary circle. He aims to discover various elements, seeks to understand all there is, wants to experience different things, and I feel like I’m the same.

“We talk about lots of subjects away from rugby: cinema, literature, ideas, creativity. When we played our French rivals previously, Notre-Dame was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”

A further fixture in Gall is looming: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the domestic league will be temporary because the continental event takes over soon. Pau, in the vicinity of the mountain range, are the initial challenge on the coming weekend before the Pretoria-based club arrive at soon after.

“I refuse to be arrogant to the extent to {