Saints set sights on Bordeaux after Pollock gives Farrell a nudge

Youngster impresses in epic semi-final victory - can the Lions head coach afford to leave him out on Thursday?

- Robert Kitson

One of the all-time great club knockout results could yet have big implications in the coming days. Northampton will now feel they have a genuine chance of lifting the Champions Cup for the first time in quarter of a century while Andy Farrell suddenly has much to ponder before Thursday's British & Irish Lions squad announcement in London.

Just as the Saints fully deserve to be contesting this month's final against French challengers Bordeaux-Bègles so the prospects of several of their players have been significantly enhanced. It is now less a question, for example, of whether Henry Pollock and Fin Smith could make the plane and more whether Farrell can afford to leave them behind.

Along with Tommy Freeman, whose three first-half tries laid the foundations of Northampton's stunning 37-34 victory in Dublin, and scrum-half Alex Mitchell, Pollock and Smith were instrumental in a remarkable team effort which once again wrecked Leinster's title hopes. One or two previously nailed-on Irish Lions also now face an anxious wait before Thursday's squad unveiling.