Bordeaux player who triggered Henry Pollock scuffle cited
Jefferson Poirot, the Union Bordeaux-Bègles prop, faces a ban after being cited for grabbing the throat of Henry Pollock after the final whistle of the Investec Champions Cup final.
Poirot will appear in front of a disciplinary panel on Thursday as the only player singled out from the fracas between the Bordeaux and Northampton Saints teams.
According to a statement from European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) on Monday evening, Poirot has been charged by citing commissioner Tim Lowry with committing an act contrary to good sportsmanship in contravention of law 9.27.
'He is alleged to have grasped the throat of Henry Pollock in a way that was dangerous and had the potential to cause serious harm,' read the EPCR release.
Committing an act contrary to good sportsmanship carries a low-end sanction of two weeks or matches, a mid-range sanction of six weeks or matches and a top-end sanction of between 10 and 52 weeks or matches.
The incident occurred in the seconds that followed the end of Bordeaux's 28-20 victory on Saturday at Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
As Fraser Dingwall aimed a chip towards Rory Hutchinson, the Northampton captain was tackled by Bordeaux fly-half Matthieu Jalibert. Jalibert and Dingwall became involved in a brief exchange before Curtis Langdon, the Saints hooker, had a separate altercation with Jalibert.
Pollock, who has subsequently been mocked by celebrating Bordeaux player s over the past two days, arrived on the scene and appeared initially to attempt to separate Langdon and Jalibert. However, a group of Bordeaux players then ran from the touchline on to the field.
These included Poirot, who had been replaced and was photographed in a head-to-head exchange with Pollock, as well as Pete Samu and Tevita Tatafu. The latter also pushed Pollock away in a moment that was captured by television cameras.
Andrea Piardi, the assistant referee, was later seen to console Pollock. The 20-year-old had earlier gestured towards his throat.
Sam Underhill, meanwhile, could now miss Bath's bid for Premiership glory through suspension. The openside flanker has been cited for a high tackle on Lyon's Davit Niniashvili in the first half of the Challenge Cup final.
Underhill saw only yellow for the incident, yet has been called before a panel himself and is at risk of a three-week ban.
Underhill's hearing will take place on Tuesday evening, his tackle on Niniashvili having been identified as a red card offence by citing commissioner Philippe Lenne. Referee Hollie Davidson opted for yellow card on Friday evening after deeming that a change of direction from Niniashvili offered sufficient mitigation.
"You are very, very lucky..." 🗣️
Big moment in the first half as Sam Underhill was issued a yellow card for a head-on-head collision, rather than a straight red 🟨 #ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/57f1U6aXa3
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) May 23, 2025
A six-week ban reduced to three, the common punishment for a mid-range offence, is the most likely outcome if Underhill is to be found guilty of a dangerous tackle.
He would not be eligible for World Rugby's coaching intervention programme, commonly known as 'tackle school', because he used that avenue to reduce a three-week ban by a week earlier this season following his red card against Pau.
This means that the 28-year-old would miss this weekend's Premiership fixture against Saracens as well as the play-off semi-final and the decider should Bath again qualify for the season showpiece.
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