Bordeaux vs Saints

[Epaminondas Pules]

UNION BORDEAUX-BÉGLES vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
Investec Champions Cup, Round 3
Sunday 11 January, 2026
Stade Jacques Chaban-Delmas
Kick-off: 3.15pm UK / 4.15pm local time

15 George Hendy
14 Ollie Sleightholme
13 Tommy Freeman
12 Rory Hutchinson
11 Edoardo Todaro
10 Fin Smith
9 Alex Mitchell

1 Danilo Fischetti
2 Craig Wright
3 Trevor Davison
4 Alex Coles
5 JJ Van Der Mescht
6 Callum Chick (c)
7 Tom Pearson
8 Henry Pollock

Replacements:
16 Robbie Smith
17 Emmanuel Iyogun
18 Elliot Millar Mills
19 Ed Prowse
20 Chunya Munga
21 Sam Graham
22 Archie McParland
23 James Ramm

Not considered for selection:
Emeka Atuanya, Anthony Belleau, Fraser Dingwall, George Furbank, Will Glister, Josh Kemeny, Curtis Langdon, Tom Litchfield, Tom Lockett, Charlie Ulcoq, and Tom West.

BORDEAUX TEAM TO FACE SAINTS:
15 Salesi Rayasi, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Nicolas Deportere, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Martin Page-Relo; 1 Jefferson Poirot, 2 Maxime Lamothe (c), 3 Carlü Sadie, 4 Adam Coleman, 5 Cyril Cazeaux, 6 Jean-Luc Du Preez, 7 Cameron Woki, 8 Temo Matiu.
Replacements: 16 GAËTAN Barlot, 17 Matis Perchaud, 18 Benjamin Tameifuna, 19 Boris Palu, 20 Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer, 21 Arthur Retière, 22 Joey Carbery, 23 Rohan Janse Van Rensburg.

Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (ITA)
Assistant referees: Robbie Jenkinson and Padraic Reidy (IRE)
No.4: Adrien Marbot (FRA)
TMO: Olly Hodges (IRE)

[paddy no 11]

Tempted by Northampton at 4-1 tbh, bench seems a bit light for the full 80 away from home

[FKAS]

Looks like the game of the weekend by a distance. Two really good attacking teams who dislike each other. With Pollock starting as well there's going to be some niggle and it's undoubtedly going to spill over. Should be fun.

[Captainhaircut]

Furbank out again? Missed the last 2 but wasn’t listed as unavailable and is now unavailable this week.

Not good .

[Mikey Brown]

If this is all because of him moving to Quins and he loses out on a 6 nations place because of it then it’s an ever stupider decision than it initially appeared.

[Captainhaircut]

If this is all because of him moving to Quins and he loses out on a 6 nations place because of it then it’s an ever stupider decision than it initially appeared.

It’s not really the Dowson way. They have lost plenty like Ludlam, Moon and Lawes and not cut them out.

I thought he was possibly just left out the team last week which wouldn’t have been ridiculous. You’d have to leave out Ramm, Hutchinson, Hendy, Belleau or Todoro to get him in but this week he’s listed as unavailable. Probably injured with England this week…

[Adam_P]

This should be very entertaining after the Champs final and the bollocks afterwards aimed at Pollock on the pitch by Poirot and in the press by Jalibert. Really hope we've got enough to turn them over. Very much like the look of the starting backline, hopefully Sleightholme is fully fit.

[Scrumhead]

Not sure when Langdon’s due back but Craig Wright getting an extended run and playing in big games is a great opportunity for him.

[FKAS]

Not sure when Langdon’s due back but Craig Wright getting an extended run and playing in big games is a great opportunity for him.

Big and mobile hooker who's set piece skills look half decent. Makes sense to get him some experience and develop him, he should be a staple of the Saints pack for years to come if he fulfills his potential. Having the experience and reliability of Robbie Smith off the bench provides security as well.

[Adam_P]

Wright has been quality - real decent carrier with pace and physicality. Langdon is going to have work to do to get the starting spot back off him when he's fit again.

[fivepointer]

He's looked very good. Big test this afternoon.

[francoisfou]

I had tickets but unfortunately can’t go now but it’s on France 2 tv and hope to be back in time to watch what I hope will be a famous Saints’ win!

[charlesdeboeuf]

Ohh for a match-winning Pollock try and pulse check celebration!

[Adam_P]

Fin Smith and James Ramm are out, so Belleau in at 10 and Thame on the bench. I had seen chat yesterday that there was a question mark over van der Mescht but thankfully he's still there, he'd be a big loss

[FKAS]

Possibly not ideal for Saints to have Belleau put himself in the market window this afternoon. He's been a great signing for them and with French clubs circling offers could increase dramatically if he helps Saints to a favourable result.

[Adam_P]

Indeed - it's evident when I'm not that concerned about Smith being out because Belleau has been such high quality. If the Furbank to Quins rumours are true, hopefully we can use some of that cash to put towards holding on to Belleau

[Mikey Brown]

Who wins ugliest kit?

[Adam_P]

Vintage Pollock

[Epaminondas Pules]

Wow!

[Mikey Brown]

Ohh for a match-winning Pollock try and pulse check celebration!

Well that can’t be far off. He really does just make things happen, whether it looks right or not.

The celebration though. Jesus. It honestly makes me want Saints to lose this. He might as well be twerking. Absolute cringe. Must be so infuriating to play against.

[Adam_P]

Ohh for a match-winning Pollock try and pulse check celebration!

He might as well be twerking.

Don't give him ideas!

[Adam_P]

These scrums are really great

[Mikey Brown]

Rory Hutchinson just can’t help himself from being a smashing machine can he?

[Mikey Brown]

Haha. Bordeaux booing Pollock recovering from cramp is awesome.

[oldbackrow]

Haha. Bordeaux booing Pollock recovering from cramp is awesome.

A 20 year old who hasn't even started an international yet and they have to boo him for everything! What a player?!