#PICTURES: Bordeaux-Bègles' post-match celebrations add fuel to Pollock incident
SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT: Photos have emerged of Bordeaux-Bègles players mocking Northampton forward Henry Pollock in their post-match changing room celebrations following Saturday’s 28-20 Champions Cup Final victory in Cardiff.
The 20-year-old England rookie was at the centre of an uproar immediately after the final whistle at the Principality Stadium.
Players from both sides were shown pushing and shoving each other, with British and Irish Lions tourist Pollock later seen gesturing to his neck.
Assistant referee Andrea Piardi was also spotted speaking to the 20-year-old back-rower after the incident.
The incident brought a sour note to the end of a tense and physical encounter.
Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson said Pollock had been left visibly upset after an incident that he suggested involved foul play.
“There was a fracas at the end, there was foul play involved,” Dowson said after the match.
“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.”
A few warnings after the Champions Cup Final #rugby #news #sports #HenryPollock #NorthamptonSaints https://t.co/qB6Qby60KZ
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Now, further fuel has been added to the controversy after a photo circulated on social media showed a Bordeaux player appearing to imitate Pollock’s now-famous post-try celebration by pressing his fingers to his neck – a mocking reference to Pollock’s gesture after scoring against Leinster in the semifinal, when he said he was checking the ice in his veins.
It wasn’t the only photo, either. Star flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert and head coach Yannick Bru also mocked Pollock in the post-match celebrations in a bar after the game.
It is unclear whether any disciplinary action will follow the post-match scuffle, but it certainly adds to the bad blood now forged between two European heavyweights.
Pollock – who has been tipped to star for the British & Irish Lions in Australia – played the full 80 minutes at No.8 in what was only his fifth Champions Cup appearance.
Source: Rugbypass
