16 h. ago Henry Pollock revels in ‘special win’ over Leinster in hardest game of his life

Saints beat Irish province to make Champions Cup finalPhil Dowson says his players enhanced Lions prospectsNorthampton hope their extraordinary semi-final win over Leinster will be a springboard to further personal and collective success in the coming weeks. The Saints director of rugby, Phil Dowson, also believes several of his players have “undoubtably” enhanced their British & Irish Lions selection chances before Thursday’s tour squad announcement.Henry Pollock and Fin Smith, along with hat-trick try-scorer Tommy Freeman, could not have made a better impression on a high-pressure stage and Dowson believes Pollock’s exuberance is beneficial to any team. “It’s infectious and spreads throughout the team,” said Dowson. “Leinster are one of the best sides in Europe and the world. For our players to perform on that stage and execute under that pressure speaks volumes for them.” Continue reading...

Politics

17 h. ago Northampton stun Leinster with heroic victory to reach Champions Cup final

Leinster 34-37 NorthamptonSaints cling on for win following first-half blitzThis competition has seen a few remarkable results over the years but few to match this sweetest of Saints days. Maybe Leinster thought that a fourth successive Investec Champions Cup final appearance was a formality against supposedly outgunned English opposition. If so they were made to pay a heavy price as a triple whammy of tries from Tommy Freeman helped Northampton pull off one of the all-time great knockout heists.The Irish province, beaten in the final in the last three consecutive seasons, were stunned at the final whistle. But the Saints had led 27-15 at half-time and, even after Leinster had charged back to within three points the visitors came knocking again via a 62nd minute score from James Ramm. The final quarter was frantically tense, settled in contentious fashion after an aghast Leinster had a possible 79th-minute score disallowed. Continue reading...

Sport

5 d. ago Dermot O'Leary received stern warning from bosses over new comedy show

It's the hardest game show on TV, and host Dermot O'Leary was left feeling the pressure as he filmed it back to back with This Morning

Events

7 d. ago Scarlets pull off remarkable upset against Leinster to boost play

Dwayne Peel's side inflicted just Leinster's second defeat of the season with a 32-22 win in Llanelli

Politics

3 w. ago Rugby fans say same thing after what rising England star did after scoring

England international Henry Pollock scored a brace against Castres but his celebrations have garnered attention

Sport

3 w. ago Northampton set up Leinster rematch after Henry Pollock batters Castres

Quarter-final: Northampton 51-16 CastresYoung flanker dazzles with two tries in Champions CupWhat is the East Midlands equivalent of deja vu? For the second season in succession Northampton are into the Champions Cup semi-finals and have booked themselves a trip to Dublin to face Leinster. Last time they came within three points of victory so, on paper at least, there is still a chance that Saints can march all the way to next month’s final in Cardiff.All the evidence would suggest, though, that Leinster are a more formidable force this year than last while Northampton had be initially resolute to see off a hard-edged Castres team who competed strongly until two tries in five minutes early in the second half from the fit-again George Furbank and the man of the moment Henry Pollock cracked their resistance. Continue reading...

Politics