Henry Pollock: The Meteoric Rise to the British & Irish Lion’s XV

In the O2 Arena, among the 2,000 fans gathered for the unveiling of the British & Irish Lions team, some Northampton Saints jerseys stood out.

Each announced name was received with applause, but when Ieuen Evans, the Lions tour director, pronounced Henry Pollock’s name, the feeling was that all of Northampton had gathered in the place. The mention of Pollock unleashed a deafening ovation.

• British & Irish Lions results and schedule for the tour of Australia

Pollock, the most striking choice of the 38 names selected, represents a risky bet for many. With only 20 years old and 32 minutes of experience in official matches, his inclusion generated surprise. However, those who witnessed Northampton’s victory over Leinster the previous Saturday witnessed Pollock’s performance at its finest, convincing coach Andy Farrell that he couldn’t leave him out.

Meteoric Rise

Pollock’s trajectory has been dizzying. On January 21, 2023, in a match between Northampton Saints and La Rochelle, a member of the Northampton staff suggested that the youth team captain be watched closely.

“That blond boy is going to be a household name”.

Source: Alofoke Deportes

Pollock quickly proved to be a special player, standing out for his energy, aggression, and confidence. His name began to be mentioned in the following 18 months, being called up for the England under-20 team and receiving minutes in the Gallagher Premiership, which generated speculation about his future in the senior team.

Andy Farrell, the coach of the British and Irish Lions, explains why he excluded Owen Farrell from the team that will travel to Australia. In this year’s Six Nations tournament, Pollock started with the under-20 team, but ended up being included on the first team’s bench for the match against Wales. In that match, Pollock scored two tries. After the match, Pollock expressed his hope of being a starter on England’s summer tour. At that time, Pollock’s aspirations to play with the Lions seemed like a dream. However, this young flanker has revolutionized the established order.

An “adorable idiot”

Since the match against Wales, “Pollock-mania” has been unleashed. His plays stood out, such as the try against the Sale Sharks, and his scoring against Castres.

After scoring against Leinster, Pollock touched his neck, feeling his pulse. These “Pollock-isms” are being replicated in school matches across the country. The younger generation adores him, being the most followed Northampton player on Instagram. In a recent podcast, Pollock was asked if he was a “good guy or an asshole.” His response was: “A bit of both, a lovable asshole.”

“If you don’t know him, you want to hate him, but as soon as you get to know him, you can’t help but like his energy and personality. He’s ridiculously competitive in everything”.

Source: Alofoke Deportes

On the eve of the Lions team announcement, Northampton posted a video on their social media showing the changing room at half-time of a match in Dublin. Pollock, calm but with everyone’s attention, was reminiscent of a young Owen Farrell on the 2013 Lions tour. “Let’s be ultra critical of our discipline, these —— will leave,” Pollock said. “I promise you they’ll start shitting themselves 10, 15 minutes after starting this second part.” And so it was. Now, Farrell wants Pollock to drive the team on the tour. Competition for a spot in the third line has intensified. The Lions have a rich history of players who break through late and sneak into the team. Jason Robinson in 2001, John Bentley in 1997 and Martin Johnson in 1993 are examples of this. Now, it’s Pollock’s turn to join that group.

“If you’re good enough, you’re old enough,” Farrell said. “When you see a player performing like he has, age doesn’t matter. People have been waiting to see if he can do it in the big games, or week after week, and there he is for everyone to see.”

Source: Alofoke Deportes“I’ve heard a lot about young people who are emerging, he’s confident, he’s arrogant. This isn’t just about Henry, it’s about young people in general. But, what do we want? Do we want a guy to show his confidence at 23 or 24 instead of 20?” “It’s about the here and now, isn’t it? If he’s performing against the kind of quality he’s been showing, then he’s ready. He’s ready to compete. I think they’ll see the fight in him. I’m sure he’ll push everyone else who didn’t realize he was coming. I’m sure he’ll enjoy that.”