The Japan Times - Wallaby Samu relishing post-Top 14 reunion with 'awesome' Pollock

Experienced Samu and promising Pollock, 20, met in last Saturday's Champions Cup final in Cardiff as the French outfit lifted the trophy for the first time.

The 33-year-old now turns his head to Saturday's Top 14 trip to Toulon before a move to the Waratahs and staking his claim in the Wallabies team to face the Lions, with the first of three Tests on June 22.

"He's an awesome player," Samu told AFP.

"He's really young and has a bright future ahead of him.

"Out there he's a great competitor and you see that in this competition and in the Premiership.

"A great player, I wish him all the best and hopefully see him in a couple of months," the 33-time international added.

The victory in the Welsh capital, Bordeaux-Begles' maiden major trophy after being founded in 2006, was followed by delirious scenes back in France.

- 'Great feeling' -

Samu was in the middle of the celebrations having scored four tries in five Champions Cup appearances this term.

More than 40,000 people welcomed Samu and his team-mates for a bus parade and ceremony in the south-western city, better known for its wine production.

"It's a great feeling," Samu said.

"That's been the plan for the club for the past couple of seasons and to come away with it is very satisfying," the former Crusaders back-rower added.

After the festivities, which also included a day in a beach restaurant on the sun-drenched Atlantic coast, Bordeaux-Begles head to Toulon.

They are likely to rest a host of front-line players recovering from the Champions Cup final, and its aftermath.

Third-placed Toulon are five points behind the newly-crowned Champions Cup winners in the Top 14 table with two rounds of the regular season to go, with Samu's side potentially a point away from securing semi-final spot.

"It's going to be tough game against Toulon this week," Melbourne-born Samu said.

"They're only a couple of points behind us," he added.

Elsewhere this weekend, 14-time French champions Stade Francais can take a big step towards safety if they beat play-off chasing Clermont.

Perpignan travel to La Rochelle and Vannes welcome Pau with the Catalans and Bretons also in the relegation scrap.

Fixtures (all times GMT)

Saturday

Clermont v Stade Francais (1230), Castres v Bayonne, Racing 92 v Montpellier, Vannes v Pau, La Rochelle v Perpignan (1430)

Sunday

Toulouse v Lyon (1530), Toulon v Bordeaux-Begles (1905)

T.Sasaki--JT