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Henry Pollock incident branded ‘out of order’ as complaint lodged
By PA
Northampton boss Phil Dowson reflected on an incident he described as “uncalled for and out of order” after Henry Pollock appeared to be grabbed by the throat following Saints’ Investec Champions Cup final defeat against Bordeaux-Begles.
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A fracas broke out after the final whistle as Bordeaux triumphed 28-20 at the Principality Stadium.
“There was a fracas at the end, there was foul play involved,” Dowson said.
“I have been assured that the touch judge has seen it and will deal with it appropriately.
“Henry Pollock was particularly upset by it because I think it was uncalled for and out of order. He reacted, and the officials have told me that they will deal with it.”
Saints’ England fly-half Fin Smith said: “They were after him (Pollock). I don’t think they liked him. He will be alright.
“I remember they (Bordeaux players) all sort of charged at him and were trying to get hold of him.
“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.”
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Saints skipper Fraser Dingwall added: “I don’t think there was bad blood (in the game).
“The only thing that I questioned at times was how much can we constantly have the values of the game applied on things like appealing.
“I think there were a couple of moments where boys potentially didn’t adhere to those things, and that is going to spark a reaction.”
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Northampton suffered heartache as Bordeaux claimed an epic victory in Cardiff.
A pulsating contest saw the French club record their first Champions Cup success, but Saints gave it everything after losing backs George Furbank and James Ramm to injuries inside the opening five minutes.
Seeking a first Champions Cup title for 25 years, Northampton went toe-to-toe with their opponents as flanker Alex Coles’ try double underpinned an outstanding Saints display.
Smith added two penalties and two conversions, but Bordeaux’s superior finishing power delivered two tries for wing Damian Penaud, while locks Adam Coleman and Cyril Cazeaux also touched down.
Matthieu Jalibert booted a penalty and conversion, and captain Maxime Lucu also kicked a penalty as Bordeaux made it five years in a row for French clubs to win the tournament.
“There was loads of fight, and that sums us up this year. We were never going to go away, but unfortunately we just gave them too many opportunities and didn’t win the critical moments,” Dingwall told Premier Sports.
“It is frustrating when it is such small margins, but that is the way this game is.
“Scrum, lineout, turnovers, we stayed in there, but unfortunately when you play against top teams you can’t give them opportunities, and they will get one right.
“We didn’t fire as many shots as we could have done. It is going to be frustrating to look back on.”
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He started it and then had a whinge when he got a reaction. It’s not football he needs to remember.
He didn't fall down when his throat was grabbed. I'll give him that much.
Not soccer levels just yet.
Threats are targeted. Swagger triggers reactions.
It was inevitable that Bordeaux would have a focus on limiting Pollock's impact.
He’s a 20 year old lad playing a bloody game, get a grip people !
To have such hate for someone you don’t know, are your lives really that desperate.
I don't think there is hatred but rather annoyance towards a poorly behaved kid
Dowson has sold him down the river publicly saying he was particularly “upset” lol
Young Mr pollock has to learn that if you talk the talk, then you also have to walk the walk!!.
I think the hype around the Lad hasn’t helped.
Some of the rugby pundits have gone outrageously over the top with the hyperbole.
He isn’t the new messiah just yet boys..
Yep. Why wasn't he over shaking hands with the opposition and congratulating them?
Being an ambassador for the sport and a role model.
The Richmond mum, middle-aged, gym sweat band has to go. Lad, sort your life out!
To be fair he has walked the walk until now. He didn't have a brilliant game but he is a 20 year old, playing out of position against a better team with a bigger pack. He was still probably Saints best backrow yesterday. His performance didn't live up to the hype he's been given and for sure he's brought this negativity upon himself.
Arrogant little lad!! If he gives it out he has to learn to take it and those whinging about boundaries for such stuff should grow up.
He’s a talent for sure but he’s not …so far…outrageously talented IMO
Not huge so has to make up for it in other ways
He played very well against Leinster then got completely owned by Earl and co against Sarries
And then yesterday did very little
I thought it was arrogant to play him at 8 in such a big game
He’s certainly talked a good game so no wonder he’s being targeted and has to back it up consistently
I’m sure Farrell would have noticed this and I’m not sure about starting him for the BIL
They played him at 8 because their first choice 8 was injured, nothing arrogant about it. Who else should they have picked at 8? Not like picking Jordie Barrett on the bench for a Heineken Cup semi.
It's almost as if he's painted a target on his own back…
Silly games = silly prizes.
Pollock is happy to be mouthing off and getting under his opponents’ skin but can’t take it when he gets his arse handed over on a plate. Grow up kid, and while you’re at it, don’t think too highly of yourself, you haven’t really shown anything so far.
When exactly did he mouth off? I think thats your own bias coming through.
I do laugh at this self-righteous indignation everyone has about Pollock. He plays the game with a smile on his face. It should be encouraged.
Don’t dish it out unless you are prepared to take it.
grow up kiddo, acting stupid takes you where you are. shamed and losing. move on. well done bordeaux. good game Northampton
A fair article should maybe ask the point of vue of the opponents, no ?
Oh I am silly !! Northampton players are all Saints… and even more Pollock…
I am completely neutral in this and as a neutral Saffa I have to say my compatriot who was the TV ref did a terrible job. He missed two certain Cards for Bordeaux and the second take away is that the France do not seem to have a grasp of the very thing that makes rugby stand alone from so many other sports. The continuous whining and appealing is both foppish, generally unmanly and quite frankly bloody annoying.
pretty sure the bordeaux players will all be celebrating rn, not rushing to issue press statements on whether they choked a guy or not.
if there’s a case to answer, we’ll get their perspective on it soon