**Henry Pollock Responds to Cardiff Champions Cup Final Clash and Subsequent Ban**
England rugby international Henry Pollock has made his first public remarks since being embroiled in an intense altercation at the conclusion of the Champions Cup final in Cardiff. The match, held last weekend at the Principality Stadium, saw French side Bordeaux clinch their maiden European crown by defeating Northampton Saints 28-20. However, it was the heated aftermath rather than the result that dominated headlines, following a confrontation between players as soon as the match ended.
In the immediate wake of the final whistle, emotions among the players were clearly running high. Pollock found himself at the centre of a clash with Bordeaux prop Jefferson Poirot. The French international was cited for grabbing Pollock by the throat, an act which has now resulted in Poirot being handed a suspension, causing him to miss Bordeaux’s last two Top 14 matches this season. This disciplinary action underlines both the seriousness with which rugby’s authorities view post-match conduct and the highly charged atmosphere present during such significant fixtures.
During a recent appearance on ‘The Rugby Breakdown Show’ aired on TNT Sports, Pollock was joined by Northampton team-mate Tommy Freeman to discuss the incident and shed light on his version of events. Pollock traced the beginnings of the confrontation to an earlier altercation between team-mates Fraser Dingwall and Bordeaux star Matthieu Jalibert, with shoving escalating on the pitch.
Describing the moment, the 20-year-old flanker explained, “The whistle had just gone, it was all pretty tense. I saw Dingers and Jalibert getting into it, so I ran over to help out – I didn’t want to leave him alone in that situation.” As Pollock approached, he joined the fray, pushing Jalibert in support of his team-mate. “What I didn’t realise at the time was that Poirot was coming straight for me from the bench,” Pollock stated.
What ensued was an aggressive confrontation, with Poirot allegedly placing his hands around Pollock’s neck. “He grabbed my throat and started squeezing,” Pollock recounted. “Obviously, I wasn’t happy, I was pretty angry,” he admitted. As the altercation continued, Pollock managed to tear Poirot’s shirt. The final moments of the clash, seen by millions, culminated in Pollock shoving Poirot away before another Bordeaux player intervened.
Reflecting on the incident, Pollock seemed both bewildered and frustrated, observing, “It was surreal – you’ve just won the Champions Cup and your first reaction is to try and strangle a 20-year-old,” he remarked, summing up his feelings about the situation. Both Pollock and Poirot were required to submit statements in the aftermath as tournament officials reviewed the actions that marred the post-match celebrations.
The temperature of the encounter extended beyond the physical, with Bordeaux players later mimicking one of Pollock’s celebrations as part of their own post-match revelry. When asked about these actions by pundit David Flatman, Tommy Freeman commented, “I can’t say I love it, but if they want to make Pollock the face of their celebrations, that says a lot. He’s definitely become a marked man, through no real fault of his own.”
This episode highlights the fine line between competitive spirit and discipline at rugby’s highest level. Rugby union prides itself on respect among players, even amidst intense rivalry, yet incidents such as this serve as reminders that tempers can occasionally boil over, particularly under the weight of high-stakes occasions like the Champions Cup final.
Despite the controversy, Pollock still has much to look forward to on the rugby calendar. With one fixture remaining for Northampton Saints this league season, he is then set to embark on his first tour as part of the British & Irish Lions. At just 20, Pollock will be the youngest Lion in the squad, entrusted with the traditional role of carrying ‘BIL’ – the iconic stuffed mascot – throughout the tour. The journey begins with a match against Argentina on 20 June, marking another chapter in the rising star’s career.
While the dust settles on Cardiff’s dramatic final, rugby fans and officials alike will hope that future contests can retain all the passion of the spectacle, without crossing the boundaries of the game’s longstanding values. The incident involving Pollock serves as both a talking point and a lesson, as the sport continues to balance intensity with sportsmanship on rugby’s biggest stages.