Latest news with #PhilDowson
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cotgreave hat-trick gives Gloucester win over Northampton but no playoff berth
Gloucester did their part. A top-four finish and a place in the playoffs remained tantalisingly within reach for George Skivington's side on the final day, but they didn't just need a win: they also required one of Bristol, Sale and Leicester above them to falter. It wasn't to be. Seven tries in a rousing performance, including a hat-trick for the elusive 19-year-old wing Jack Cotgreave, against a much-changed Northampton delighted their relentlessly passionate fans. Ultimately it meant finishing fifth. It will be Bath, plus the aforementioned three, to fight it out for the Premiership title. Advertisement Related: Ibitoye double fires Bristol past Harlequins to clinch playoff tie at Bath The Saints remain the champions for now and Phil Dowson's 14 changes felt like a suitably low-key way to sign off on a disappointing title defence. They have been injury-plagued and hardly helped by players frequently departing for international duty. Still they produced one of the more memorable performances of recent years by edging out Leinster in the Champions Cup semi-final four weeks ago. They came up short against Bordeaux in Cardiff seven days ago and all four of their British & Irish Lions representatives – Fin Smith, Henry Pollock, Alex Mitchell and Tommy Freeman – were absent for this season finale. Music to Gloucester's ears with a playoff berth potentially on the table: official statistics gave them a 34% chance of the top four, and mathematically speaking, there was even a shot at a home semi-final. In a perfect world, perhaps, the Premiership's final day would feature a tense scrap to avoid relegation as well as a pulsating playoff race: not to mention a properly funded, healthy second tier packed with clubs snapping at the heels of the elite. Advertisement That feels like an impossible dream in English rugby (blame the Rugby Football Union, not the clubs) and Dowson's recently stated fear of the competition collectively 'sleepwalking' to another bankruptcy was right on the money, if that is the correct phrase. Hype up a congested playoff race all you like, the finances of the clubs remain in a parlous state, and there is no sign of it changing. Taking the positives, though, there was nothing wrong with the on-field product. The 6ft 4in Cotgreave had scored on his Premiership debut against Newcastle last time out, and crossed three times in the first half alone, although one of those was disallowed for a foot in touch. His first score came after three minutes, converted by Santiago Carreras, only for tries by Northampton's Tom Pearson and Tom Litchfield to demonstrate that the visitors fancied making a game of it. The second row Ed Prowse, captaining Northampton for the first time, was forced off on 17 minutes after an accidental head contact before Cotgreave's flying effort in the corner was disallowed. There was no doubt over another impressively pacy finish on the same wing, by the same player, on 25 minutes. Then, when Christian Wade smartly intercepted a pass around halfway on the Gloucester right, his prodigious pace made the breakaway finish seem straightforward. Wonderful work by the lock Freddie Clarke, skilfully scooping up a loose ball and offloading, soon sent the quicksilver scrum-half Tomos Williams cantering in for the bonus point. It was 22-14 at half-time: the only problem? Bristol led Harlequins 26-12, having run in four tries, with Leicester and Sale also set fair. Advertisement Northampton came out firing. The scrum-half Jonny Weimann forced his way over eight minutes after the break and when Hutchinson confidently stroked over a sweet conversion, his third of the afternoon, there was just a point in it. Gloucester's response was immediate, literally: from the restart Carreras's silky show-and-go set up Cotgreave for his hat-trick. Seb Atkinson's score made it six tries, and was met with one of the day's biggest cheers. Order restored for the Shed faithful. Iakopo Mapu's try for Saints cut the lead to 10 before Wade's second, the game's final act, sent the fans wild. But for Gloucester, the playoffs will have to wait. 'I just hope we can follow up this season, that's what it's about,' remarked a fan as the train from London pulled into Gloucester station an hour or so before kick-off. A sentiment doubtless shared by all those who follow the once-mighty Cherry-and-Whites.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Cotgreave hat-trick gives Gloucester win over Northampton but no playoff berth
Gloucester did their part. A top-four finish and a place in the playoffs remained tantalisingly within reach for George Skivington's side on the final day, but they didn't just need a win: they also required one of Bristol, Sale and Leicester above them to falter. It wasn't to be. Seven tries in a rousing performance, including a hat-trick for the elusive 19-year-old wing Jack Cotgreave, against a much-changed Northampton delighted their relentlessly passionate fans. Ultimately it meant finishing fifth. It will be Bath, plus the aforementioned three, to fight it out for the Premiership title. The Saints remain the champions for now and Phil Dowson's 14 changes felt like a suitably low-key way to sign off on a disappointing title defence. They have been injury-plagued and hardly helped by players frequently departing for international duty. Still they produced one of the more memorable performances of recent years by edging out Leinster in the Champions Cup semi-final four weeks ago. They came up short against Bordeaux in Cardiff seven days ago and all four of their British & Irish Lions representatives – Fin Smith, Henry Pollock, Alex Mitchell and Tommy Freeman – were absent for this season finale. Music to Gloucester's ears with a playoff berth potentially on the table: official statistics gave them a 34% chance of the top four, and mathematically speaking, there was even a shot at a home semi-final. Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion In a perfect world, perhaps, the Premiership's final day would feature a tense scrap to avoid relegation as well as a pulsating playoff race: not to mention a properly funded, healthy second tier packed with clubs snapping at the heels of the elite. That feels like an impossible dream in English rugby (blame the Rugby Football Union, not the clubs) and Dowson's recently-stated fear of the competition collectively 'sleepwalking' to another bankruptcy was right on the money, if that is the correct phrase. Hype up a congested playoff race all you like, the finances of the clubs remain in a parlous state, and there is no sign of it changing. Taking the positives, though, there was nothing wrong with the on-field product. The 6ft 4in Cotgreave had scored on his Premiership debut against Newcastle last time out, and crossed three times in the first half alone, although one of those was disallowed for a foot in touch. His first score came after three minutes, converted by Santiago Carreras, only for tries by Northampton's Tom Pearson and Tom Litchfield to demonstrate that the visitors fancied making a game of it. The second row Ed Prowse, captaining Northampton for the first time, was forced off on 17 minutes after an accidental head contact before Cotgreave's flying effort in the corner was disallowed. There was no doubt over another impressively pacy finish on the same wing, by the same player, on 25 minutes. Then, when Christian Wade smartly intercepted a pass around halfway on the Gloucester right, his prodigious pace made the breakaway finish seem straightforward. Wonderful work by the lock Freddie Clarke, skilfully scooping up a loose ball and offloading, soon sent the quicksilver scrum-half Tomos Williams cantering in for the bonus point. It was 22-14 at half-time: the only problem? Bristol led Harlequins 26-12, having run in four tries, with Leicester and Sale also set fair. Northampton came out firing. The scrum-half Jonny Weimann forced his way over eight minutes after the break and when Hutchinson confidently stroked over a sweet conversion, his third of the afternoon, there was just a point in it. Gloucester's response was immediate, literally: from the restart Carreras's silky show-and-go set up Cotgreave for his hat-trick. Seb Atkinson's score made it six tries, and was met with one of the day's biggest cheers. Order restored for the Shed faithful. Iakopo Mapu's try for Saints cut the lead to 10 before Wade's second, the game's final act, sent the fans wild. But for Gloucester, the playoffs will have to wait. 'I just hope we can follow up this season, that's what it's about,' remarked a fan as the train from London pulled into Gloucester station an hour or so before kick-off. A sentiment doubtless shared by all those who follow the once-mighty Cherry-and-Whites.
The Independent
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Northampton boss fumes over ‘out of order' Henry Pollock incident in Champions Cup final
A furious Phil Dowson, Northampton Saints ' director of rugby, has accused Bordeaux-Begles of targeting Henry Pollock after an 'out of order' incident after the final whistle in the Investec Champions Cup final. Northampton were narrowly beaten by the French side in a thrilling affair in Cardiff, with Bordeaux securing their first European title with a 28-20 victory. Rising star Pollock has enjoyed a breakout season in which he has gone from the fringes of the Saints first team to a British and Irish Lions tourist, and appeared to be dealt with well by Northampton's opposition. Yet a post-match melee saw Pollock appear to gesture to his throat following a fracas that involved Pete Samu, Tevita Tatafu and Jefferson Poirot and appeared to be sparked by a clash between Saints skipper Fraser Dingwall and Bordeaux-Begles fly half Matthieu Jalibert. Though quick to praise the victors for their performance, Dowson was angry about the incident. "There was a fracas at the end, there was foul play involved," Dowson said. "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." The Northampton director of rugby indicated that the club may look to cite a Bordeaux player if the officials do not, while fly half Fin Smith felt his England colleague Pollock was targeted. 'They were after him,' Smith said of Pollock. 'I don't think they liked him. He will be alright. I remember they (Bordeaux players) all sort of charged at him and were trying to get hold of him. "I am surprised if you have just won a European Cup, the first thing you want to do is start a fight with a 20-year-old. I felt that was interesting." A pulsating contest saw the French club record their first Champions Cup success, but Saints gave it everything after losing backs George Furbank and James Ramm to injuries inside the opening five minutes. Seeking a first Champions Cup title for 25 years, Northampton went toe-to-toe with their opponents as flanker Alex Coles' try double underpinned an outstanding Saints display. Smith added two penalties and two conversions, but Bordeaux's superior finishing power delivered two tries for wing Damian Penaud, while locks Adam Coleman and Cyril Cazeaux also touched down. Matthieu Jalibert booted a penalty and conversion, and captain Maxime Lucu also kicked a penalty as Bordeaux made it five years in a row for French clubs to win the tournament.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bordeaux 'out of order' in fracas with Pollock
Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson accused Bordeaux-Begles' players of being "out of order" after Henry Pollock appeared to be grabbed around the neck on the final whistle of Saints' Champions Cup final defeat on Saturday. "There was a fracas at the end, there was foul play involved," Dowson said. "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." Pollock, 20, was confronted by Bordeaux prop Jefferson Poirot after an argument with fly-half Mathieu Jalibert following the French side's 28-20 victory in Cardiff. "I told him that he didn't know our club," said Jalibert. "They said some things in the press which we didn't really appreciate. "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. "I know it is their way of preparing for matches, but they must have respect too." Bordeaux mix beauty and beast to shatter brave Saints Rugby Union Weekly: Champions Cup heartbreak for Northampton Penaud wins Champions Cup player of the year A behind-the-scenes film of Northampton's semi-final win over Leinster showed how Saints used their homegrown togetherness as motivation to beat their more-fancied opponents. Saints fly-half Fin Smith insisted that his England team-mate - who has caught the eye with a series of outstanding displays in a remarkable breakthrough season - was the innocent party. "They were after him. I don't think they liked him," said Smith. "They all sort of charged at him and were trying to get hold of him. "I am surprised if you have just won a European Cup, the first thing you want to do is start a fight with a 20-year-old. I felt that was interesting. He will be alright." Clubs can refer incidents to the citing commissioner within 24 hours of a match if they believe a red card offence has occurred.
BBC News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Bordeaux 'out of order' in fracas with Pollock
Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson accused Bordeaux-Begles' players of being "out of order" after Henry Pollock appeared to be grabbed around the neck on the final whistle of Saints' Champions Cup final defeat on Saturday."There was a fracas at the end, there was foul play involved," Dowson said."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."Pollock, 20, was confronted by Bordeaux prop Jefferson Poirot after an argument with fly-half Mathieu Jalibert following the French side's 28-20 victory in Cardiff."I told him that he didn't know our club," said Jalibert. "They said some things in the press which we didn't really appreciate."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."I know it is their way of preparing for matches, but they must have respect too." A behind-the-scenes film of Northampton's semi-final win over Leinster showed how Saints used their homegrown togetherness as motivation to beat their more-fancied fly-half Fin Smith insisted that his England team-mate - who has caught the eye with a series of outstanding displays in a remarkable breakthrough season - was the innocent party."They were after him. I don't think they liked him," said Smith."They all sort of charged at him and were trying to get hold of him."I am surprised if you have just won a European Cup, the first thing you want to do is start a fight with a 20-year-old. I felt that was interesting. He will be alright."Clubs can refer incidents to the citing commissioner within 24 hours of a match if they believe a red card offence has on Bordeaux's Instagram account, external showed back row Tevita Tatafu recreating the 'pulse-check' celebration that Pollock had marked his try against Leinster with in the previous round.
