Bordeaux's Celebrations Spark Controversy After Champions Cup Victory

By Laban Kiptoo

A social media storm has erupted following Bordeaux-Begles' Champions Cup victory. Photos emerge of their players and even coaching staff seemingly mocking Northampton’s Henry Pollock.

The images circulating widely online show Bordeaux players imitating Pollock’s “ice in the veins” celebration, a gesture he made after scoring in the semifinal.

This comes after a heated on-field altercation immediately after the final whistle of Saturday’s 28-20 scoreline in Cardiff, where Pollock was seen gesturing to his neck, suggesting foul play.

Northampton’s Director of Rugby, Phil Dawson, confirmed Pollock was visibly upset by an uncalled-for incident that he believed involved foul play and was being addressed by officials.

“There was a fracas at the end, a foul play was involved, and I have been assured the touch judge has seen it and will deal with it appropriately, Henry was upset by it because it was uncalled for and out of order, and so he reacted, the officials assured me that they will deal with it,” Phil said in a post-match press conference.

The post-match changing room and bar celebrations by Bordeaux featuring fly-half Matthew Jalibert and head coach Yannick Bru have now intensified the bad blood between the two powerhouses.

“They were after Henry; they charged at him and tried to get hold of him. The game was played well until that moment, there isn’t any bad blood between both teams," Captain Fraser Dingwall said in a post-match press conference.

It remains uncertain if any disciplinary action will result from the initial scuffle or these latest provocative actions; it’s a wait and see. Pollock, a 20-year-old England rookie, played a full 80 minutes in the final.