Tonight's rugby news as truth behind Henry Pollock row emerges and Club World Cup warning issued

Wales Online

25-05-2025

Tonight's rugby news as truth behind Henry Pollock row emerges and Club World Cup warning issued
The latest rugby news and headlines from Wales and beyond
Bordeaux-Begles lift the Champions Cup in Cardiff
(Image: Getty Images )
Here are your rugby evening headlines for Sunday, May 25.
Truth behind Pollock row emerges as star mocked on plane
Bordeaux-Begles' Champions Cup-winning side have continued to mock England international Henry Pollock following Saturday's European final in Cardiff, with videos being posted to social media of some of their stars copying the Northampton back-row's celebration on the flight back to France.
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Video has now emerged of France fly-half Matthieu Jalibert mimicking two of Pollock's celebrations: one where he checked his pulse by placing his finger on his neck and another where he pretends to shoot a basketball with a rugby ball.
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Pollock had been unable to stop the French club lifting the Champions Cup at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, as they ran out 28-20 winners in the Welsh capital. However, it was what happened after full-time that has dominated headlines since the final whistle.
The 20-year-old - who was called up by the British and Irish Lions following a rapid ascension - was involved in a scuffle with some of Bordeaux's team after the match.
Television cameras caught Pollock gesturing to his throat amid a scuffle involving Bordeaux's Pete Samu, Tevita Tatafu, and Jefferson Poirot. That clash apparently came from a disagreement between Saints captain Fraser Dingwall and Jalibert.
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While Northampton, having lost a second European final after having been beaten by Leinster in 2011, were left to condemn the French club's actions in the post-match press conference, Bordeaux were far more concerned with aping Pollock's celebrations.
At first, that occurred in the changing rooms - with pictures posted on social media of the team mimicking the pulse check celebration.
However, that has also continued on the flight home - with Jalibert copying two of Pollock's more recognisable celebrations.
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Having scored against Leinster earlier this month at the Aviva Stadium, the talented back-row put his finger to his neck to check his pulse - a celebration he later admitted to copying from Manchester United right-back Diego Dalot.
Earlier in the season, he had performed a nonchalant basketball shot with the rugby ball after dotting down against Castres.
Both celebrations were performed by Jalibert on the flight back to France, as their celebrations continued.
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The fly-half had been fairly vocal about Pollock post-match, accusing the Lions call-up of lacking respect.
'I told him (Pollock) that he didn't know our club,' Jalibert told BBC Sport. 'They said some things in the press which we didn't really appreciate.
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'They said that we were a club of mercenaries who are here for the money. I just told him that he doesn't know our history, where we came from and that he must respect all clubs.'
He added: 'I know it is their way of preparing for matches, but they must have respect too.'
Club World Cup stance made clear after massive Cardiff decision
Rian Oberholzer, the chief executive of SA Rugby, has warned that there is still a significant amount of work to be done before the Club World Cup can truly take off. The official announcement was made on Saturday that a new 16-team competition will commence in 2028, following discussions this weekend in Cardiff.
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Eight teams will come from the Champions Cup, seven from Super Rugby, and the final team will hail from Japan.
Scheduled to occur every four years, this tournament will effectively replace the Champions Cup knockout stages in Europe, a move that Oberholzer supports.
The head of SA Rugby believes that a Club World Cup fills a gap in global rugby competition, allowing the best of the northern and southern hemispheres to compete.
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Oberholzer also suggests that it could serve as a valuable incentive for South African franchises, given their lacklustre performance in the Champions Cup, stating: "It will force SA teams to take the Champions Cup seriously."
However, he acknowledges that key details surrounding the competition, particularly financial aspects and scheduling, still need to be resolved.
"The financial aspect is something that still needs to be figured out," he told Rapport. "At this stage, only projections have been made, but if accurate, the Club World Cup could be financially beneficial."
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'Officially, no structures have been put in place yet, and no broadcasting rights or sponsorships have been sold. So the financial impact will only be determined in the future.
'The announcement is somewhat premature, with a lot of detail outstanding, and we don't have all the answers yet.'
World Cup winner promises evolution as Welsh club star tunes in from afar
Scarlets hooker Marnus van der Merwe will turn his attention back to the club's URC play-off hopes after spending the last couple of days tuning into a Springbok training camp from afar.
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The 28-year-old was recently one of eight uncapped players named in the Springboks' alignment camp, having enjoyed a strong first season in Llanelli - with the Scarlets facing Leinster in the URC quarter-finals next Saturday.
The hooker attended virtual meetings and training sessions at the end of last week to familiarise himself with the new structures, ahead of the Springboks' first summer match against the Barbarians in Cape Town on June 28.
They then play Italy in two Tests in July, before one match against Georgia ahead of their Rugby Championship campaign.
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Former Cheetahs hooker van der Merwe will be hoping to force his way into Rassie Erasmus' plans for the summer, with the two-time World Cup winner noting that the Springboks will not rest on their laurels despite their success in the last six years.
'We are fast approaching the international season, and though most of the players have big matches lined up in their respective competitions before we assemble at our training camp in June, we were pleased with what transpired at the first and second alignment camps,' Erasmus said.
'The Boks believe we are on the right track in terms of our preparations and planning for the season,' said Erasmus.
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'The coaches have been working tirelessly to improve our structures to ensure we can improve on our performances last season.
'It was great to see how the players responded to the adaptations and changes we have made to our structures.
'We have said time and time again that we have to continue to evolve to remain a force at the top level of the game.
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'SA are under no illusions about the challenging season ahead, we are pleased with the progress we have been making off the field, and we are really looking forward to the season ahead.'
World Cup coach announced exit
Jo Yapp will leave her role as Australia head coach after the Women's World Cup in in September.
Having been appointed in December 2023, the former England captain led Australia to their first trophy when they won the WXV2 title in October to secure a World Cup spot.
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"This was a difficult decision as I thoroughly enjoy coaching the Wallaroos, but my family always come first when considering future plans and we have decided to return to the UK once my contract expires," said the 45-year-old.
"I am proud of the progression the Wallaroos program has had over the past 18 months."
Australia have won five of their past seven games, including four in a row for the first time, but lost 45-7 to Canada on Friday.
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The World Cup in England runs from 22 August to 27 September, with Wales playing two Tests away to Australia in July.
"There is still a lot of rugby ahead and the key reason for announcing this now is to avoid any distractions before the critical preparation period for the World Cup begins," Yapp added.