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This English town is hardly the most tropical destination on the planet, but its club offers plenty of excitement and passion.

In a town known for shoe production, you would think kicking to be the Saints’ primary strategy. Yet under leader Phil Dowson, the side in green, black and gold opt to retain possession.

Despite representing a distinctly UK location, they exhibit a flair associated with the greatest French practitioners of champagne rugby.

From the time Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have won the English top flight and advanced far in the European competition – beaten by Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and eliminated by the Irish province in a last-four clash before that.

They sit atop the competition ladder after four wins and a draw and travel to their West Country rivals on matchday as the sole undefeated team, seeking a first win at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who played 262 top-flight fixtures for multiple clubs in total, consistently aimed to be a trainer.

“As a professional, I never seriously considered it,” he remarks. “However as you get older, you comprehend how much you love the sport, and what the everyday life entails. I worked briefly at a financial institution doing a trial period. You do the commute a few times, and it was difficult – you see what you possess and lack.”

Conversations with club legends led to a role at Northampton. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson leads a team progressively packed with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for the Red Rose facing the New Zealand two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a major effect off the bench in England’s flawless campaign while Fin Smith, eventually, will assume the No 10 jersey.

Is the emergence of this exceptional generation attributable to the team's ethos, or is it chance?

“This is a combination of the two,” states Dowson. “My thanks go to the former director of rugby, who gave them opportunities, and we had difficult periods. But the exposure they had as a unit is undoubtedly one of the reasons they are so united and so talented.”

Dowson also namechecks Mallinder, a former boss at Franklin’s Gardens, as a major influence. “I was lucky to be mentored by really interesting people,” he adds. “Jim had a significant influence on my professional journey, my training methods, how I interact with others.”

The team demonstrate attractive rugby, which proved literally true in the case of their new signing. The Gallic player was part of the French club defeated in the continental tournament in April when the winger notched a three tries. He liked what he saw sufficiently to buck the pattern of UK players moving to France.

“A friend called me and said: ‘We've found a fly-half from France who’s seeking a side,’” Dowson explains. “My response was: ‘We don’t have money for a overseas star. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for new challenges, for the chance to test himself,’ my contact told me. That intrigued us. We had a conversation with Anthony and his language skills was incredible, he was well-spoken, he had a funny side.

“We inquired: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He answered to be guided, to be challenged, to be outside his comfort zone and away from the Top 14. I was saying: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he turned out to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson states the emerging Henry Pollock brings a particular enthusiasm. Does he know anyone comparable? “Never,” Dowson responds. “Each person is individual but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be himself.”

His spectacular try against Leinster last season demonstrated his freakish ability, but a few of his expressive during matches antics have led to allegations of overconfidence.

“He sometimes comes across as arrogant in his actions, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson clarifies. “And Henry’s being serious constantly. Game-wise he has input – he’s not a clown. I think sometimes it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s clever and good fun within the team.”

Few managers would admit to having a bromance with a assistant, but that is how Dowson describes his relationship with his co-coach.

“Together share an inquisitiveness around diverse subjects,” he notes. “We have a literary circle. He wants to see all aspects, aims to learn all there is, desires to try varied activities, and I think I’m the same.

“We talk about lots of topics beyond the sport: movies, books, thoughts, creativity. When we played our French rivals in the past season, Notre-Dame was undergoing restoration, so we had a brief exploration.”

A further date in Gall is coming up: The Saints' return with the Prem will be short-lived because the continental event intervenes shortly. The French side, in the vicinity of the border region, are the initial challenge on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club travel to a week later.

“I’m not going to be overconfident to the extent to {