Investec Champions Cup Final: Northampton Saints v Bordeaux-Begles – Key Battles

Henry Pollock v Guido Petti

A prime example of if you’re good enough, you’re old enough, prodigious Pollock has taken the rugby world by storm this year at the age of just 20.

A dynamic back-rower with a next-generation skillset, he scored a brace of tries in his debut for England in the 68-14 win over Wales in the Six Nations and is the youngest player in the British & Irish Lions squad. As the top tackler (96) and leading ball hawk (18 turnovers), he’s also a candidate for Champions Cup Player of the Season. 

The speedy and exuberant new kid on the block comes up against a grizzled powerhouse in Petti, who’s played 87 Tests for Argentina and featured in three World Cups. The Harlequins-bound veteran has the size and strength advantage and will give his all to power Bordeaux to glory in his final season at the club.

Juarno Augustus v Pete Samu

South Africa’s Augustus and Australia’s Samu square off in a Southern Hemisphere showdown at No. 8. Both men are seemingly off to new clubs next season, Augustus to Ulster and Samu to the Waratahs, so they’ll be extra determined to seize the day.

A former Junior Springbok captain and 2017 World Rugby Junior Player of the Year, Augustus’ robustness and beastly ball-carrying ability have earned him the nickname “Trokkie.” He’s provided go-forward for the Saints all season and scored five tries. Now 27, he’s set for his first Springbok alignment camp this week and eager to impress Rassie Erasmus some more.

In contrast to Augustus, Samu is all about athleticism and flair. Capped 33 times for the Wallabies, he’s a magnet at drawing in defenders and a continuity king with his back-like offloading skills.

Alex Mitchell v Maxime Lucu

After taking his opportunity to become England’s No. 1 scrumhalf in recent seasons, Mitchell has a key role to play for the Saints on Saturday ahead of his first British & Irish Lions tour.

A man for the big occasion, the lanky No. 9 produced the goods when he scored the winning try to help Northampton claim their first Premiership title in a decade last season and is aiming to deliver another clutch contribution or two on Saturday.

With the Northern Hemisphere’s infatuation with Antoine Dupont, you’d hardly know there’s another French scrumhalf making serious waves, but the so-called GOAT’s injury-enforced absence has forced them to take notice of Lucu, who’s been brilliant as captain of Bordeaux.

The brains behind the operation on the field, he could walk away with the Champions Cup Player of the Season award if he steers his side to victory on Saturday.

Fin Smith v Matthieu Jalibert

A young game-changer, Smith’s combination with Mitchell has thrived for club and now country as he cemented himself as England’s new premier pivot and piloted them to their best finish in the Six Nations in five years this season. The 23-year-old has also earned a spot in the British & Irish Lions squad.

A man who bets on himself, Jalibert infamously left the French squad during last year’s Autumn Nations Series after refusing to be on the bench for the clash against the All Blacks. He’s since more than proved what a top talent he is and plans on guiding Bordeaux to the double.

Tommy Freeman v Louis Bielle-Biarrey

Two of the most exciting and in-form players in the world will go head-to-head out on the wing.

Like Pollock, Freeman is a next-generation talent who’s caught fire and set to burn bright for England for years to come. Big, strong and athletic, the 24-year-old is a force to be reckoned with. He sits second in tries (9) and clean breaks (19) and third in metres (571).

Bielle-Biarrey has ascended to superstar status this season. The 21-year-old French phenom scored a record eight tries en route to being named the Six Nations Player of the Championship and is in the running for the Champions Cup Player of the Season gong as well, having mesmerised all campaign and dotted down eight times.