Northampton won in the semi-finals of Champions Cup after having achieved a monumental feat on the lawn of Leinster (34-37). The saints were able to count on a Henry Pollock at the top of his art when the Leinster knew how to do only ball. Discover the figures to know about this meeting.
Henry Pollock Unplayable
What to say about Henry Pollock’s performance At only 20 years old against such an experienced and talented team that is Leinster? A year ago, during the semi-final between the same two clubs, The third line was caught beers at Temple Bar With his friends. The Irish must regret this time … This Saturday, the blonde at the strap on the front marked a magnificent test, successful 23 of his 24 tackles, traveled 58 meters in hand, beaten three defenders and rotten an countless rucks when he did not recover the ball. What more can be added?
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Champions Cup – Henry Pollock (Northampton) still tuned the summits against Leinster: 23 tackles, an exceptional test…
Freeman for history
In a feat, there is always a hero, a cape carrier. This Saturday evening, for Northampton, it was Tommy Freeman. The winger offered a hat -trick! He marked the first try after a delicious Smith ending (8th). He took advantage of an excess for his second achievement of the evening (37th). On the third, he dezoned on the opposite wing and benefited from a sublime after-Contact pass from Juarno Augustus before finishing the corner (39th). After his big trial home at the last 6 nations tournament, what season is taking out the 24 -year -old English winger!
PA Images / Icon Sport – Damien Eagers
68 % success in the lenster tackle
During the big games, Lenster, like its international derivative the XV of the clover, very often stands out with a relentless defense. Faced with Northampton, this point led to the fall of the Irish. The men of Leo Cullen only succeeded 97 tackles, a very small 68 % of success in this exercise. In comparison, the English succeeded 165 tackles, or 79 %. During this final phase of Champions Cup, the Leinstermen had not conceded a single point. The 37 of this semi-final were too much …
Sterile Irish attack
62 points scored at the Harlequins, 52 in Glasgow: Lenster feasted until then in this final phase of the Champions Cup. Las, the 34 points scored were not sufficient. However, Caelan Doris’ teammates had 58 % possession and 64 % occupation. But they did not always know what to do despite 155 balloons played by hand, 54 more than their opponents. The Dublinois crossed less (eight against ten), beaten fewer defenders (23 against 34) and traveled less than meters with the ball (359 against 549).
Henshaw and Barrett miss
Symbols of this unusual lack of efficiency in Leinster, the first two centers followed one another against Northampton. Holder, Robbie Henshaw did not win the slightest meter with the ball in his possession. Returning to his place in the 50th, Jordie Barrett did not achieve a performance up to his status given to him by his 68 capes with the All Blacks. He too has not really won meters with the ball (10m, no defender beaten) and did not create a ball difference in hand.
Leinster still misses
Unable to win the slightest title since URC in 2021 and glean a champions Cup since 2018 and a victory in the final against Racing 92 (15-12), the Irish falls in the final phase of the continental scene. They remained on three defeats in the final in this competition: after extension against Toulouse in 2024 (22-31), in 2023 against La Rochelle (26-27) and the previous year against the same seafarers (21-24). In 2021, they had lost Marcel-Deflandre against this same opponent (32-23). It was at Aviva Stadium that the Dublinois had been eliminated during the 2020 European campaign, from the quarters, by the Saracens (17-25). The two teams had clashed in the final of the 2019 edition and this had already been disadvantaged by the Leinstermen (10-20).
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