Bordeaux-Bègles players are showing no signs of cooling off – either from their historic Champions Cup triumph or their ongoing jabs at Northampton Saints’ rising star Henry Pollock.
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The French side powered to a 28-20 victory in Cardiff, coming from behind in the second half to shatter Saints’ European dreams and secure their first ever Champions Cup title. Alex Coles’ first-half brace had Northampton daring to dream, levelling the scores 20-20 at the break, but the Bordeaux bench proved decisive, muscling their way to glory as the forwards took charge after half-time.
Yet, the real fireworks didn’t end with the final whistle.
As the celebrations rolled into a second day – including an open-top bus parade through the streets of Bordeaux – back-rower Tevita Tatafu was spotted holding a sign that read: “Pollock Calma! Calma!” A cheeky dig aimed squarely at 20-year-old Pollock, who had been at the centre of tensions during the fiery final.
The incident stems from a late-game melee sparked by Matthieu Jalibert’s challenge on Fraser Dingwall, which quickly escalated. Hooker Curtis Langdon squared up to Jalibert, and while Pollock initially played peacemaker, Bordeaux players – including prop Jefferson Poirot, flanker Pete Samu, and Tatafu (who wasn’t even in the matchday squad) – all got involved. Tatafu appeared to shove Pollock in the throat as tempers flared.
Saints fly-half Fin Smith weighed in too, claiming Pollock was being deliberately targeted.
“They were after him,” said Smith. “I’m surprised if you’ve just won a European Cup, the first thing you want to do is start a fight with a 20-year-old. Fair play to him – he’ll be all right.”
It’s not the first swipe Bordeaux players have taken at Pollock either. Footage from the dressing room celebrations shows them mocking his signature “fingers on the pulse” celebration.
Whether it’s banter or bad blood, one thing’s for sure – Henry Pollock made a serious impression.
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