2024/2025 Not Heineken Cup

[shereblue]

All very odd. TV cameras didn't pick anything up.TRP saying one of the UBB non playing reserves ran on and grabbed Pollock by the throat. No photos though
Hopefully all move on and nothing in it

Handbags in the aftermath of a big game is nothing unusual. The on-pitch norm however is also a bit of mutual respect. Indeed young Pollock and the UBB lads were exchanging handshakes when it all calmed down. None of us is in a position to make a balanced take. If correctly reported, I'd suggest Dowson follows the example of his precocious young starlet and moves on. It is rugby, after all.

Loved seeing Lucu going round the Saints players including Pollock commiserating with them
Yes, Dowson should move on...............quickly!

I don't much care for Pollock's wind ups but he is already making a similar mark in the men's game to the one he made with the U20s. Humility is the personal quality I most like to see displayed. However there must always be room for a maverick, even or especially perhaps, a provocative one. At the very least, it sells tickets. I hope Saints hold on to him.

[Blackmac]

Sounds like the UBB players acted like a bunch of graceless wankers after the final whistle

All very odd. TV cameras didn't pick anything up.TRP saying one of the UBB non playing reserves ran on and grabbed Pollock by the throat. No photos though
Hopefully all move on and nothing in it

Northampton have urged tournament officials to launch an investigation into a post-game fracas involving England’s Henry Pollock after Bordeaux’s Champions Cup final victory. It is understood Saints will make a citing complaint if the incident does not lead to an official disciplinary probe.
Phil Dowson, Saints’ director of rugby, said the 20-year-old had been the victim of “foul play” by a Bordeaux player. The meleé was initially sparked by an altercation between the Northampton captain, Fraser Dingwall, and the French international fly-half Matthieu Jalibert, before several other Bordeaux players became involved.

Handbags in the aftermath of a big game is nothing unusual. The on-pitch norm however is also a bit of mutual respect. Indeed young Pollock, like his teammates, and the UBB lads were exchanging handshakes when it all calmed down. None of us is in a position to make a balanced take. If correctly reported, I'd suggest Dowson follows the example of his precocious young starlet and moves on. It is rugby, after all.

Really think Pollock is getting hard done by. Looked to me like he was trying to step in as peace maker and got a hand to the throat for this trouble. Stepped away pretty quick. He looked the maturest one involved.

[PornDog]

Yeah, there's a photo of them pulling the piss out of the pulse taking thing.

Ah that would explain the 'throat grabbing', probably just trying to take his pulse. Still a complete dickhead (and stupid) thing to be doing, especially after the final whistle, but not as bad as I first thought it might have been (again....still fucking stupid wankery though)

If you are going to hand it out you’ve got to be able to take it. I hate it all, and little sympathy for the individuals

I wholeheartedly agree

[Paddington Bear]

Ah that would explain the 'throat grabbing', probably just trying to take his pulse. Still a complete dickhead (and stupid) thing to be doing, especially after the final whistle, but not as bad as I first thought it might have been (again....still fucking stupid wankery though)

If you are going to hand it out you’ve got to be able to take it. I hate it all, and little sympathy for the individuals

Evidently it was to do with something that appeared on social media (and the press?) attributed to Pollock saying that Saints were basically a home grown team and that UBB weren't.
UBB thought that was deeply direspectful!
Liked Fin Smith's reaction along the lines of I'm not sure why some of them decided to pick a fight with a 20 year old kid rather than celebrate the biggest win in their history with their team mates!

This to me is the big thing, all a bit pathetic.

If Pollock is able to rattle people this much who don’t even speak the same language, imagine the spite he’s going to generate in 6 Nations to come!

[OomStruisbaai]

Where the days of war on the field but best friends after the final whistle. The French should try this. It's good old rugby culture.

[shereblue]

All very odd. TV cameras didn't pick anything up.TRP saying one of the UBB non playing reserves ran on and grabbed Pollock by the throat. No photos though
Hopefully all move on and nothing in it

Handbags in the aftermath of a big game is nothing unusual. The on-pitch norm however is also a bit of mutual respect. Indeed young Pollock, like his teammates, and the UBB lads were exchanging handshakes when it all calmed down. None of us is in a position to make a balanced take. If correctly reported, I'd suggest Dowson follows the example of his precocious young starlet and moves on. It is rugby, after all.

Really think Pollock is getting hard done by. Looked to me like he was trying to step in as peace maker and got a hand to the throat for this trouble. Stepped away pretty quick. He looked the maturest one involved.

I maintain it was all handbags.

Saints performed extremely well in difficult circumstances and need to move on from this.

Jeff Poirot not making any complaint I see.

What are you trying to say? "However badly behaved and out of control, you should never lay a hand on a mere child?"


https://x.com/i/status/1926319594160967835

[Marylandolorian]

I don’t think Jeff Poirot with 32caps will care or let a 20yo (nobody so far) spoiled his V day.

[Niegs]

[topofthemoon]

Rugypass have managed to get not 1, not 2, not 3 but 4 stories out of the same incident.

[topofthemoon]

Rugypass have managed to get not 1, not 2, not 3 but 4 stories out of the Pollock incident.

[SaintK]

Anyway, moving on from Saturday. EPCR have found anoither way of fucking about with the top "European" rugby tournament.

The board of European Professional Club Rugby – having been embarrassingly bounced into making the announcement earlier than intended – has just confirmed that, every four years, a World Club Cup will replace the knockout stages of its flagship men’s competition. The eight Champions Cup quarter-finalists will be joined by seven teams from Super Rugby Pacific and one Japanese participant.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025 ... p-rugby

[Simian]

Anyway, moving on from Saturday. EPCR have found anoither way of fucking about with the top "European" rugby tournament.

The board of European Professional Club Rugby – having been embarrassingly bounced into making the announcement earlier than intended – has just confirmed that, every four years, a World Club Cup will replace the knockout stages of its flagship men’s competition. The eight Champions Cup quarter-finalists will be joined by seven teams from Super Rugby Pacific and one Japanese participant.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025 ... p-rugby

I’ve heard this is all Pollock’s fault.

[robmatic]

Anyway, moving on from Saturday. EPCR have found anoither way of fucking about with the top "European" rugby tournament.

The board of European Professional Club Rugby – having been embarrassingly bounced into making the announcement earlier than intended – has just confirmed that, every four years, a World Club Cup will replace the knockout stages of its flagship men’s competition. The eight Champions Cup quarter-finalists will be joined by seven teams from Super Rugby Pacific and one Japanese participant.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025 ... p-rugby

That sounds really unnecessary.

[SaintK]

Probably. He managed to make the UBB victory parade as well

[Slick]

Probably. He managed to make the UBB victory parade as well

That's got to be fake? If not, it's seriously shite

[Slick]

Anyway, moving on from Saturday. EPCR have found anoither way of fucking about with the top "European" rugby tournament.

The board of European Professional Club Rugby – having been embarrassingly bounced into making the announcement earlier than intended – has just confirmed that, every four years, a World Club Cup will replace the knockout stages of its flagship men’s competition. The eight Champions Cup quarter-finalists will be joined by seven teams from Super Rugby Pacific and one Japanese participant.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025 ... p-rugby

That sounds really unnecessary.

You say that, but wait until you see the crowds flocking to Qatar for Sale v Moana Pasifika

[Margin__Walker]

Probably. He managed to make the UBB victory parade as well

That's got to be fake? If not, it's seriously shite

Amazing if real. Imagine taking the time to carry on like that rather than celebrate being at the pinnacle of club rugby.

Rent free.

[SaintK]

Probably. He managed to make the UBB victory parade as well

That's got to be fake? If not, it's seriously shite

You'd hope it was 'shopped. Can't be sure as he onviously got under their skin quite badly!!!

[Marylandolorian]

Oh the French won (again) just let be a bunch of cunts …again.

[Kawazaki]

Interesting that they write "We Are Champions" in English on their bus.

Henry V really left his mark on the French didn't he.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

Interesting that they write "We Are Champions" in English on their bus.

Henry V really left his mark on the French didn't he.

One can only hope the champions of Europe can survive such a barrage. And we'll just put to one side champion as a word looks, well, French

[SaintK]

Sorry Hollie, you just fucked that up; that was the reddest of red cards.

Underhill cited
That's his season done. It will be a second ban for the same offence in a few months

[OomStruisbaai]

Oh the French won (again) just let be a bunch of cunts …again.

Look like they won their first World Cup.

[Lobby]

Probably. He managed to make the UBB victory parade as well

That's got to be fake? If not, it's seriously shite

Amazing if real. Imagine taking the time to carry on like that rather than celebrate being at the pinnacle of club rugby.

Rent free.

Poirot's now been cited for attacking Pollock

"Tournament organisers European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) confirmed that Jefferson Poirot had been charged by citing commissioner Tim Lowry with "committing an act contrary to good sportsmanship in contravention of law 9.27".

The EPCR said Poirot's alleged act was "dangerous and had the potential to cause serious harm".

Poirot will attend a disciplinary hearing by video conference on Thursday and faces a ban if found guilty."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... 0gxl9xg9jo

He might have to tone down his celebrations and mimicking of Pollock during the disciplinary hearing.

[Slick]

Oh the French won (again) just let be a bunch of cunts …again.

Look like they won their first World Cup.

Never stop Saffering

[Kawazaki]

That's got to be fake? If not, it's seriously shite

Amazing if real. Imagine taking the time to carry on like that rather than celebrate being at the pinnacle of club rugby.

Rent free.

Poirot's now been cited for attacking Pollock

"Tournament organisers European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) confirmed that Jefferson Poirot had been charged by citing commissioner Tim Lowry with "committing an act contrary to good sportsmanship in contravention of law 9.27".

The EPCR said Poirot's alleged act was "dangerous and had the potential to cause serious harm".

Poirot will attend a disciplinary hearing by video conference on Thursday and faces a ban if found guilty."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... 0gxl9xg9jo

He might have to tone down his celebrations and mimicking of Pollock during the disciplinary hearing.

I don't think the French player did anything wrong.

Poor form from Pollock and the Saints coaches to whine about this.

[Torquemada 1420]

It’s funny though, how of all the potential red card decisions that we’ve all been commenting on recently, where it looks like there’s an instruction for them to avoid reds wherever possible, it was the woman that you went off on a rant about.

But it’s not about her being a woman, obviously, you say that so it must be true.

It is about her being selected for virtual signalling quota-itis rather than competency which is a problem created by EPCR and not me. I can sympathise with Damian Vidagany.

[Oxbow]

If Poirot has been cited they must have spotted something, so it's a bit early to say he did nothing wrong.

Poor form from Pollock and the Saints coaches to whine about this.

This seems a bit pot kettle black given the way you're still banging on about Digwall's pass (which did look forward, yes).

[Torquemada 1420]

Sorry Hollie, you just fucked that up; that was the reddest of red cards.

Underhill cited
That's his season done. It will be a second ban for the same offence in a few months

Yeah. The "go to school and have your 1st effort watered down" certainly paid dividends in terms of player safety.

Game has gone mental. You see de Groot's effort for the Landers on Friday? Apparently a deliberate head butt is not even worthy of a citing.

Maybe when the 1st court case is settled for brain damage, the brain damaged officiating will improve.

[Kawazaki]

If Poirot has been cited they must have spotted something, so it's a bit early to say he did nothing wrong.

Poor form from Pollock and the Saints coaches to whine about this.

This seems a bit pot kettle black given the way you're still banging on about Digwall's pass (which did look forward, yes).

Completely different. Pollock likes the shithousery side of being a backrower (which is great). Whining about the reaction to it is not a great look and will not go down well amongst fellow players.

[Uncle fester]

It’s funny though, how of all the potential red card decisions that we’ve all been commenting on recently, where it looks like there’s an instruction for them to avoid reds wherever possible, it was the woman that you went off on a rant about.

But it’s not about her being a woman, obviously, you say that so it must be true.

It is about her being selected for virtual signalling quota-itis rather than competency which is a problem created by EPCR and not me. I can sympathise with Damian Vidagany.

You're way out of line here torq. She's been one of the better refs for a few years now.

[Torquemada 1420]

If Poirot has been cited they must have spotted something, so it's a bit early to say he did nothing wrong.

Poor form from Pollock and the Saints coaches to whine about this.

This seems a bit pot kettle black given the way you're still banging on about Digwall's pass (which did look forward, yes).

A lot of chat on Fre discussion channels about Pollock: soshull meejuhhh prior to the game and yapping during.
a) I read a few English comments including PR (yes) which basically said "if you dish it out, you should expect to take it".
b) That said, a simple "look at the scoreboard mate" or "another however many years" would have sufficed. All some of the UBB
players have done is to prove how much Pollock managed to get under their skins. Brian Moore-esque.

I have a little insight into Pollock since he was at Stowe and then Buckingham and let's just say the lad isn't lacking in self belief
nor letting anyone who cares to listen, telling how good he is. He's a confident young man but needs to learn to deal with what was suggested in a).

[Torquemada 1420]

You're way out of line here torq. She's been one of the better refs for a few years now.

FM, she is terrible every time I watch her. Whether on the field or in the TMO position. Completely incompetent. And by kerrrist, she isn't short of competition for clueless officiating.

[Uncle fester]

I don't think any ref on the planet meets your exacting standards.

[Torquemada 1420]

Completely different. Pollock likes the shithousery side of being a backrower (which is great). Whining about the reaction to it is not a great look and will not go down well amongst fellow players.

This. Although given how childishly UBB have reacted, maybe he will be encouraged to try harder!!!

[Torquemada 1420]

I don't think any ref on the planet meets your exacting standards.

I do think the standard is at an all time low. Clearly not helped by the continual interference by the powers that be and the continuation of the SH and NH thinking they should independently operate the interpretation of the laws.
There are some refs who are excellent, including the child (Ridley), Maxwell-Keys (sp) and Amashukeli. Most of the rest are middling which is hardly surprising given the opening gambit. Brace is just an outright cheat.

[robmatic]

It’s funny though, how of all the potential red card decisions that we’ve all been commenting on recently, where it looks like there’s an instruction for them to avoid reds wherever possible, it was the woman that you went off on a rant about.

But it’s not about her being a woman, obviously, you say that so it must be true.

It is about her being selected for virtual signalling quota-itis rather than competency which is a problem created by EPCR and not me. I can sympathise with Damian Vidagany.

You're way out of line here torq. She's been one of the better refs for a few years now.

As far as Scottish refs go, she should have been getting games ahead of Mike Adamson well before now.

[SaintK]

If Poirot has been cited they must have spotted something, so it's a bit early to say he did nothing wrong.

Poor form from Pollock and the Saints coaches to whine about this.

This seems a bit pot kettle black given the way you're still banging on about Digwall's pass (which did look forward, yes).

A lot of chat on Fre discussion channels about Pollock: soshull meejuhhh prior to the game and yapping during.
a) I read a few English comments including PR (yes) which basically said "if you dish it out, you should expect to take it".
b) That said, a simple "look at the scoreboard mate" or "another however many years" would have sufficed. All some of the UBB
players have done is to prove how much Pollock managed to get under their skins. Brian Moore-esque.

I have a little insight into Pollock since he was at Stowe and then Buckingham and let's just say the lad isn't lacking in self belief
nor letting anyone who cares to listen, telling how good he is. He's a confident young man but needs to learn to deal with what was suggested in a).

Blimey!
My first club

[Biffer]

It’s funny though, how of all the potential red card decisions that we’ve all been commenting on recently, where it looks like there’s an instruction for them to avoid reds wherever possible, it was the woman that you went off on a rant about.

But it’s not about her being a woman, obviously, you say that so it must be true.

It is about her being selected for virtual signalling quota-itis rather than competency which is a problem created by EPCR and not me. I can sympathise with Damian Vidagany.

So it is to do with being a woman.

[Biffer]

If Poirot has been cited they must have spotted something, so it's a bit early to say he did nothing wrong.

Poor form from Pollock and the Saints coaches to whine about this.

This seems a bit pot kettle black given the way you're still banging on about Digwall's pass (which did look forward, yes).

A lot of chat on Fre discussion channels about Pollock: soshull meejuhhh prior to the game and yapping during.
a) I read a few English comments including PR (yes) which basically said "if you dish it out, you should expect to take it".
b) That said, a simple "look at the scoreboard mate" or "another however many years" would have sufficed. All some of the UBB
players have done is to prove how much Pollock managed to get under their skins. Brian Moore-esque.

I have a little insight into Pollock since he was at Stowe and then Buckingham and let's just say the lad isn't lacking in self belief
nor letting anyone who cares to listen, telling how good he is. He's a confident young man but needs to learn to deal with what was suggested in a).

He might get it knocked out of him a few training sessions into the Lions tour.