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This English town is hardly the most glamorous destination globally, but its squad provides plenty of romance and adventure.

In a city known for footwear manufacturing, you could anticipate punting to be the Saints’ main approach. Yet under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the squad in their distinctive colors prefer to run with the ball.

Despite embodying a typically British community, they exhibit a panache typical of the greatest French exponents of champagne rugby.

After Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have secured the English top flight and gone deep in the continental tournament – beaten by Bordeaux-Bègles in the ultimate match and eliminated by Dublin-based club in a semi-final previously.

They currently top the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and travel to Ashton Gate on Saturday as the only unbeaten side, seeking a initial success at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who played 262 premier games for multiple clubs combined, had long intended to be a trainer.

“During my career, I never seriously considered it,” he states. “But as you age, you understand how much you love the game, and what the everyday life looks like. I had a stint at a banking firm doing a trial period. You travel to work a several occasions, and it was tough – you realise what you have going for you.”

Talks with former mentors culminated in a job at the Saints. Jump ahead a decade and Dowson leads a team increasingly crammed with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles were selected for England versus the New Zealand two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a significant influence from the replacements in the national team's flawless campaign while the fly-half, in time, will inherit the pivotal position.

Is the emergence of this exceptional generation due to the Saints’ culture, or is it luck?

“This is a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “My thanks go to the former director of rugby, who basically just threw them in, and we had some tough days. But the practice they had as a group is certainly one of the causes they are so close-knit and so talented.”

Dowson also mentions Jim Mallinder, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a major influence. “It was my good fortune to be mentored by highly engaging personalities,” he adds. “He had a major effect on my professional journey, my management style, how I manage individuals.”

The team demonstrate entertaining football, which proved literally true in the example of their new signing. The Gallic player was a member of the French club defeated in the European competition in last season when Tommy Freeman notched a triple. Belleau was impressed sufficiently to buck the pattern of UK players heading across the Channel.

“A friend phoned me and remarked: ‘We know of a Gallic number ten who’s looking for a side,’” Dowson explains. “My response was: ‘There's no budget for a French fly-half. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He wants a fresh start, for the chance to prove his worth,’ my friend informed me. That interested me. We met with him and his language skills was outstanding, he was eloquent, he had a sense of humour.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be guided, to be challenged, to be outside his comfort zone and outside the French league. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he turned out to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the 20-year-old Pollock provides a unique energy. Has he coached a player similar? “No,” Dowson answers. “Everyone’s unique but Pollock is distinct and special in numerous aspects. He’s fearless to be who he is.”

The player's spectacular touchdown against Leinster in the past campaign showcased his unusual skill, but a few of his expressive in-game behavior have led to allegations of arrogance.

“On occasion seems cocky in his conduct, but he’s far from it,” Dowson asserts. “Furthermore Henry’s not joking around constantly. Tactically he has contributions – he’s a smart player. I believe at times it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s bright and good fun to have around.”

Not many coaches would claim to have having a bromance with a head coach, but that is how Dowson frames his partnership with his co-coach.

“We both share an inquisitiveness around diverse subjects,” he explains. “We maintain a book club. He wants to see various elements, wants to know each detail, wants to experience varied activities, and I believe I’m the alike.

“We talk about many subjects beyond rugby: cinema, books, concepts, culture. When we played Stade [Français] last year, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a quick look.”

Another fixture in Gall is coming up: The Saints' reacquaintance with the domestic league will be brief because the continental event intervenes shortly. Pau, in the shadow of the border region, are the opening fixture on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club travel to the following weekend.

“I won't be overconfident enough to {