3 hours ago
4
Key events Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature
Naturally so much of the prematch chat has focussed on Henry Pollock.
His England coach, Steve Borthwick, reckons he’s in with a shout of starting for the Lions this summer. I’m not so sure myself – though I’d have him coming off the bench.
He’s a game changer. But can he handle the extra heft of this Bordeaux pack? His personal battle with Samu could be the difference maker in this contest.
Here’s Borthwick on the starboy of the moment:
Shout out to Paul Moody in Brazil who has written in:
“Am excited. About this too. Drama awaits”
A man of few words. But what else needs to be said? Things are hotting up!
While we wait, get stuck into some more top writing.
Here’s Ugo Monye encouraging Northampton to let rip and attack, attack, ATTACK! No surprise from the former Quins, England and Lions winger – that’s his attitude more or less with every rugby match. But on this one he’s spot on. No sense in the Saints going away from what’s brought them so much success over the past two seasons.
Bordeaux team news
The backline is littered with superstars. But don’t sleep on that pack. This bunch of heavies got the better of Toulouse three times this season and the Australian Pete Samu is – for my money – one of the form loose forwards in the world.
If the forwards get go-forward ball, those backs will have freedom to do their stuff.
Bordeaux-Begles: Buros; Penaud, Depoortere, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Jalibert, Lucu (c); Poirot, Lamothe, Falatea, Coleman, Cazeaux, Diaby, Petti, Samu.
Replacements: Sa, Boniface, Tameifuna, Bochaton, Vergnes, Gazzotti, Retiere, Janse van Rensberg.
Northampton team
A couple of Northampton players are undergoing fitness tests as we speak.
Alex Coles in particular is a small doubt, but right now he’s scheduled to start.
Henry Pollock slots in at 8 after Juarno Augustus was injured in the win against Leinster. George Furbank returns to 15 which means James Ramm slots in on the wing.
Northampton: Furbank; Freeman, Dingwall (c), Hutchinson, Ramm; Smith, Mitchell; Iyogun, Langdon, Davison, Mayanavanua, Lockett, Coles, Kemeny, Pollock.
Replacements: Wright, Haffar, Millar Mills, Prose, Scott-Young, James, Litchfield, Sleightholme
There’s loads of great reading to get you in the mood for this one.
Let’s kick off with a ripping chat between Fin Smith and Don McRae:
And when you’re done with that, here’s Rob Kitson on Northampton’s ‘mix of ingredients’:
This could be an iconic day for English rugby.
With Bath lifting the Challenge Cup last night, with Ben Spencer and Finn Russell leading the way, a Northampton win would mark a historic double for the Premiership.
Read Rob Kitson’s report here:
Preamble
Daniel Gallan
It’s the most glittering prize in club rugby, staged at one of the sport’s great cathedrals, contested by two of the most dynamic teams in the competition.
You don’t always get what you want but sometimes you do. And here in Cardiff, the rugby gods have played ball.
Bordeaux Bègles head into this final in red hot form. They top the Champions Cup across a range of metrics including points scored, tries notched, metres made and line breaks. Worryingly – as far as their opponents are concerned - they also occupy first place when it comes to turnovers procured, which means the likes of Damien Penaud, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Mathiew Jalibert and Maxime Lucu can wreak havoc from broken play.
But Northampton Saints have a few ballers of their own, including four British & Irish Lions recruits in Henry Pollock, Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell and Tommy Freeman. They upset the bookmakers by beating Leinster in the semis and won’t fear their mighty French foes.
I’ll eat my hat if this is a stodgy game of attrition. My guess is that the winner will need at least 30 points to triumph. Tries, off-loads, side-steps, mazy runs and last ditch ankle taps; this promises to be one for the romantics.
In case it wasn’t clear I’m positively buzzing for this. Hope you are too. If you fancy writing in I’d love to hear from you. Even better if you’re writing in from Cardiff where things will kick off at 2:45 BST.
