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This English town is hardly the most glamorous location on the planet, but its squad offers plenty of excitement and passion.

In a city known for shoe production, you would think punting to be the Saints’ main approach. However under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in green, black and gold prefer to retain possession.

Although playing for a quintessentially English location, they display a style synonymous with the best Gallic practitioners of attacking rugby.

After Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have won the Premiership and progressed well in the European competition – losing to a French side in the ultimate match and knocked out by Leinster in a last-four clash earlier.

They sit atop the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to their West Country rivals on matchday as the sole undefeated team, aiming for a maiden victory at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who participated in 262 elite matches for multiple clubs in total, always planned to be a trainer.

“When I played, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “But as you age, you comprehend how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the everyday life looks like. I had a stint at a banking firm doing work experience. You do the commute a few times, and it was challenging – you see what you have going for you.”

Conversations with club legends resulted in a position at the Saints. Move forward a decade and Dowson leads a squad progressively filled with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles were selected for England against the New Zealand two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a significant influence off the bench in the national team's perfect autumn while the number ten, eventually, will assume the pivotal position.

Is the emergence of this outstanding generation because of the team's ethos, or is it luck?

“This is a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “I would acknowledge the former director of rugby, who basically just threw them in, and we had difficult periods. But the exposure they had as a unit is certainly one of the causes they are so tight and so skilled.”

Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, a former boss at their stadium, as a major influence. “I’ve been fortunate to be coached by exceptionally insightful individuals,” he says. “He had a major effect on my career, my management style, how I manage others.”

Saints execute appealing the game, which was clearly evident in the case of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was part of the Clermont XV defeated in the European competition in the spring when the winger registered a hat-trick. Belleau admired the style sufficiently to buck the pattern of UK players heading across the Channel.

“A friend rang me and stated: ‘There’s a fly-half from France who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘We lack the money for a overseas star. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He desires new challenges, for the opportunity to prove his worth,’ my friend said. That intrigued us. We spoke to Belleau and his language skills was excellent, he was eloquent, he had a sense of humour.

“We inquired: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He answered to be coached, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and beyond the domestic competition. I was saying: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson comments the young the flanker offers a particular vitality. Does he know a player comparable? “Not really,” Dowson responds. “Everyone’s original but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in many ways. He’s unafraid to be authentic.”

The player's sensational touchdown against Leinster previously illustrated his exceptional ability, but a few of his expressive in-game antics have led to claims of overconfidence.

“On occasion appears cocky in his actions, but he’s far from it,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore Pollock is not taking the piss all the time. Tactically he has contributions – he’s not a clown. I feel at times it’s depicted that he’s only a character. But he’s bright and great to have in the squad.”

Not many coaches would claim to have having a bromance with a assistant, but that is how Dowson describes his relationship with Vesty.

“We both possess an curiosity about different things,” he notes. “We run a book club. He aims to discover various elements, aims to learn all there is, aims to encounter new experiences, and I think I’m the same.

“We talk about numerous subjects outside rugby: cinema, books, concepts, art. When we faced our French rivals last year, the landmark was undergoing restoration, so we had a brief exploration.”

One more fixture in France is approaching: The Saints' reacquaintance with the domestic league will be temporary because the continental event takes over shortly. The French side, in the shadow of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on matchday before the Pretoria-based club visit the following weekend.

“I won't be presumptuous enough to {