**Controversy Mars Champions Cup Final as Henry Pollock Targeted by Bordeaux Players**
The highly anticipated Champions Cup final delivered drama both on and off the pitch this weekend at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. Bordeaux-Bègles emerged victorious, clinching their maiden European title with a hard-fought 28-20 win over Northampton Saints. Yet, the celebration was quickly overshadowed by a post-match incident involving Saints’ rising star Henry Pollock.
Pollock, who has enjoyed an extraordinary season and even earned a call-up to the British and Irish Lions, found himself at the centre of an unfortunate altercation after the final whistle. In scenes captured by television cameras, Pollock was seen visibly upset and gesturing to his throat amid a scuffle involving several Bordeaux players, including Pete Samu, Tevita Tatafu, and Jefferson Poirot. The confrontation reportedly began following a heated exchange between Saints captain Fraser Dingwall and Bordeaux fly-half Matthieu Jalibert.
Northampton’s director of rugby, Phil Dowson, was quick to call out what he described as unsporting behaviour from Bordeaux. Speaking after the match, Dowson criticised the French side for what he saw as deliberate targeting of Pollock, describing the incident as “uncalled for and out of order”.
Dowson confirmed that the fracas deeply affected Pollock and said club officials had received assurances from match officials that the matter would be investigated. “Henry Pollock was particularly upset by it,” Dowson remarked. “He reacted, and the officials have told me they will deal with it. If they don’t, we may have to look at it ourselves.” The Saints may yet consider further action pending the outcome of any review.
Fin Smith, Northampton’s talented fly-half, backed his director of rugby’s comments, suggesting that Bordeaux players had singled out Pollock for attention both during and after the match. “They were after him,” Smith disclosed, adding, “I am surprised if you have just won a European Cup, the first thing you want to do is start a fight with a 20-year-old. I felt that was interesting.”
Fuel was added to the fire when images emerged from the Bordeaux changing room, with several players mocking Pollock’s trademark ‘fingers-on-the-neck’ celebration. The scene highlighted the intensity—and bitterness—that punctuated the contest, and it has sparked fresh debate about sportsmanship at the highest level of club rugby.
Despite the controversy, the final itself was a thrilling contest filled with high-quality rugby. Tries from Bordeaux’s Damian Penaud, Adam Coleman, and Cyril Cazeaux ultimately swung the result in favour of the French club. Northampton showed tremendous grit, with Alex Coles bagging a brace of tries as they kept themselves in contention throughout. Fly-half Smith contributed two conversions and a pair of penalties, yet the English side’s efforts fell just short against Bordeaux’s clinical edge in key moments.
Bordeaux’s win marked the fifth successive Champions Cup triumph by a French team, underlining the sustained excellence exhibited by clubs from across the Channel. The match itself was widely praised for its intensity and entertainment, with both sides demonstrating the very best of European rugby.
However, the shadow cast by the post-match fracas has prompted questions about player conduct and the protocols for dealing with such incidents. As Northampton Saints consider reviewing the footage and potentially submitting a formal complaint, there is a sense that this story is far from over.
The fallout from Cardiff is likely to continue in the coming days, with rugby authorities under pressure to address the incident and ensure that the focus returns to the on-field exploits of players rather than the ugliness that sometimes follows the final whistle. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see how the situation develops, hoping that future finals will be remembered only for the quality of the rugby, not for any controversy that overshadows the sport.