Pictures have emerged of Bordeaux-Bègles gamers mocking Northampton back-row Henry Pollock of their post-match altering room celebrations following Saturday’s 28–20 Champions Cup closing victory in Cardiff.
The 20-year-old England rookie was on the centre of a fracas instantly after the ultimate whistle on the Principality Stadium, with Pollock seen tussling with a number of UBB gamers as tempers flared on the finish of a tense and bodily encounter.
Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson mentioned Pollock had been left visibly upset after an incident that he steered concerned foul play.
“There was a fracas on the finish, there was foul play concerned,” mentioned Dowson. “I’ve been assured that the contact choose has seen it and can cope with it appropriately.
“Henry Pollock was significantly upset by it as a result of I feel it was uncalled for and out of order. He reacted, and the officers have advised me that they’ll cope with it.”
Pollock appeared to point to officers that he had been grabbed by the throat, although that has not been confirmed by Bordeaux or the match officers.
My favorite time of yr trophy celebration images pic.twitter.com/8tzbXp2u96
— Matthew Bauer (@MB5Plug) May 24, 2025
Now, additional gasoline has been added to the controversy after a photograph circulated on social media confirmed a Bordeaux participant showing to mimic Pollock’s now-famous post-try celebration by urgent his fingers to his neck – a mocking reference to Pollock’s gesture after scoring in opposition to Leinster within the semi-final, when he mentioned he was checking the ice in his veins.
It wasn’t the one picture eiether. Star fly-half Matthieu Jalibert and head coach Yannick Bru additionally mocking Pollock within the submit match celerbations in a bar after the sport.
Henry Pollock has already achieved a lot good for the sport of rugby . https://t.co/Tf2XQEf1rc pic.twitter.com/hW83N3DUXc
— Matthew Bauer (@MB5Plug) May 25, 2025
Saints fly-half Fin Smith, one in all Pollock’s senior England teammates and greatest associates, additionally questioned Bordeaux’s motivation in rowing with Pollock after the ultimate whistle.
“They had been after him (Pollock). I don’t assume they preferred him. He might be alright,” mentioned Smith.
“I keep in mind they (Bordeaux gamers) all type of charged at him and had been attempting to pay money for him.
“I’m shocked when you have simply gained a European Cup, the very first thing you wish to do is begin a combat with a 20-year-old. I felt that was attention-grabbing.”
It’s unclear whether or not any disciplinary motion will comply with the post-match scuffle but it surely actually provides to unhealthy blood now cast betweent two European heavyweights.
Pollock – who has been tipped to star for the British & Irish Lions this summer time in Australia – performed the total 80 minutes at No.8 in what was solely his fifth Champions Cup look.
Social has been reacting to the incident with Pollock, with many customers on X claiming Pollock was obtained what he deserved, whereas others identified that his antics have been breath of recent air in sport that badly wants extra characters.
“Henry Pollock didn’t take pleasure in getting punched within the throat after full time however in equity he instigated it,” wrote one X person. “He’s precisely the kind of character rugby wants proper now. He’ll be a celebrity by the point the Lions sequence is completed.”
“Little bit of a Pollock fanboy right here (within the wider context of the sport) however think about being a 20 yr previous novice realizing you’d triggered a response from the European Champions like this,” mentioned one other. “If nothing else, the run as much as the following World Cup might be attention-grabbing.”
One other fan wrote: “Henry pollock will shortly be taught that in large boys rugby you’ll all the time b a goal for those who say issues or over rejoice or present any persona. Nonetheless anyone who thinks he was poor yesterday or froze wants to look at sport once more. He was xcellent in adversity, confirmed large ticker.”
The truth is earlier than the sport with was clear that Pollock was a key goal for Bordeaux who needed to shutdown the menace posed by the younger English tyro. Former President of FC Girondins de Bordeaux and now UBB fan Jean Louis Triaud: “There’s this proficient child in Northampton, Henry Pollock. He’s an actual ache within the ass… He’s insufferable! The truth that he’s English makes issues worse. It could hassle me much more if UBB misplaced due to him.”
