Freeman praises team-mate Pollock for belief he gives Saints in tough games

And the British & Irish Lions duo will bid to help to mastermind another victory against the bookies favourites when the black, green and gold go to Union Bordeaux Bègles on Sunday afternoon (kick-off 3.15pm UK time).

Freeman and Pollock shone as a heavily-rotated Saints team upset the odds by claiming a sensational 41-21 victory at Gallagher PREM champions Bath on December 27.

Freeman bagged a hat-trick from outside centre, while Pollock notched a try double from No.8.

Next up is a clash with the European champions, who earned that tag after beating Saints in the Investec Champions Cup showpiece last season.

But Freeman isn't bothered if Saints are seen as underdogs for the battle with Bordeaux.

"In terms of noise outside, people are going to perceive us for who we're going to be," the England star said.

"At Leinster (when Saints claimed an incredible Champions Cup semi-final win last season), they gave us that underdog status and they're probably going to do it again, but we've proved to people we can perform to a good level.

"We feel like we can deliver the same performance, week in, week out, whoever wears the shirt.

"You can't listen too much and Pollock has probably been a bit of a helping hand in that case, of ignoring the outside noise and not really caring.

"It's what we can control in our circle."

Pollock will again be in the headlines in the build-up to the battle with Bordeaux as he was targeted by the French team at the full-time whistle last season, earning prop Jefferson Poirot a two-week ban after he grabbed the Saints star around the neck.

Some Bordeaux players and staff were later pictured mocking Pollock as they mimicked his trademark try celebration during their Champions Cup party.

"I was running down on the left-hand side (of the pitch) so I was pretty oblivious to it all," Freeman said.

"I don't know what went on but it obviously all came out and there was a bit of a fuss, but whatever position you're in, who knows how we would have celebrated and things like that.

"So what happens is what happens, it's gone now, it's behind us and we're just focusing on this week."

As for how Pollock is handling the week leading up to the game in Bordeaux, Freeman said: "He's fine. Of course he is (looking forward to the game).

"Nothing changes for him. He's revved up and ready to go again."

Looking back on last season's final loss in Cardiff, Freeman said: "It felt like nothing was going our way.

"We picked up two knocks early doors with Rammy (James Ramm) and Furbs (George Furbank) so it probably wasn't the best start, but we didn't give up for 80 minutes.

"It probably gives us good motivation this time round to get on the back of some good opportunities and results."

He added: "We're obviously buzzing to get going.

"It's a place Saints haven't been to since 1997, it will be a big home crowd, 34,000 and they will get whooping, hollering and booing so we'll definitely step into the challenge.

"It's a bit of a long walk to get onto the pitch, I hear, so it will be a completely new experience and this is why we do it. It's the top of the top going against top players and you want to test yourself at that level."

Bordeaux will be backed by a sizeable home crowd this weekend, but there should also be plenty of Saints supporters in attendance.

And when asked about his club's travelling support, Freeman said: "It's amazing, seeing familiar faces.

"If they could be a little bit louder for this game that would be great because it's going to be quite loud."

Freeman couldn't be in much better form coming into this weekend's clash, having scored four tries in his past two matches.

When asked how life has been for him lately, he said: "Very good!

"I had a good Christmas, went down to Bath and then topped it off to make it a really good Christmas.

"It's going well and I'm in a good place at the moment.

"Bath was a lot of fun with everyone writing us off a bit so going down there and doing what we did - it was pretty special.

"It just shows the kind of depth we've got in our squad. We've got young lads like Edo (Todaro) playing and you can rely on them to pull something out of the hat and do something pretty special.

"When you're in that position of healthy competition, it's a pretty good spot to be in."