Henry Pollock has become the centre of attention in British and European rugby following his selection for the British and Irish Lions at just 20 years old, with only 30 minutes of play for England under his belt.
This marks one of the most astonishing call-ups in the illustrious nearly 140-year legacy of the Lions.
Here’s what you should know about this talented and audacious rugby star.
Henry Pollock of England celebrates. Getty
Who is Henry Pollock?
Pollock is a back-row forward currently playing club rugby with Northampton Saints in England.
He stands at 188cm tall and weighs 100kg.
What is his background?
Born in Banbury, approximately 112km northwest of London, Pollock hails from a sporty family.
His mother, Hester, competed nationally in triathlons.
His older sister, Zoe, has represented the University of Georgia in track events (400m and 400m hurdles).
His brother, Angus, is a scratch golfer.
As a teenager, Pollock also dabbled in triathlons.
“Mum is the reason I have a passion for sport. She introduced me to fitness,” Pollock shared with the BBC.
“We would rise at 5.30am for a two-hour swim session on Saturdays, followed by a triathlon at school. It was hectic, but looking back, it shaped who I am now.”
His father introduced him to ‘mini rugby’, and showing promise in secondary school led Pollock to join Northampton’s academy for the under-13 season.
At 13, he moved to Stowe School, a boarding institution, where he was coached by former Northampton player Grant Seely.
Pollock’s rugby journey so far
As captain of Northampton’s under-18 team, Pollock made his senior debut at the age of 17 in a domestic cup competition in 2022.
He scored two tries, which made him the youngest try-scorer for Northampton in the professional era.
During the 2023-24 season, he debuted in the top-tier English Premiership and scored a try in his debut in the European Champions Cup against Castres in December last year.
England’s Henry Pollock in action at The Stoop. Getty
He has rapidly become a key figure in the first team, standing out for his performances.
Pollock has scored in victories against Castres and Leinster during the Champions Cup knockout stage, helping Northampton secure a spot in this month’s final against Bordeaux.
All the while, he’s also juggling part-time studies for a sports management degree at Loughborough University.
Henry Pollock of England breaks with the ball to score his team’s seventh try. Getty
Does Pollock have an international pedigree?
Indeed, he was the captain of England’s under-18 team, scored a hat trick on his under-20 debut, was named player of the tournament in the 2024 Six Nations under-20s, and helped England clinch the world under-20 championship in July.
He began this year’s senior Six Nations in the under-20s and finished it with the senior team, making his debut against Wales in the last round and scoring two tries as a replacement in the 49th minute.
That remains his only senior appearance for England.
Henry Pollock of England clashes with Tom Hooper of Australia. Getty
What is Pollock’s playing style like?
Pollock is incredibly athletic – capable of squatting 230kg for three reps, bench pressing 140kg for two, and sprinting at speeds of approximately 10m per second, according to a report from the Daily Telegraph in the UK – and exudes confidence in his skills.
Notably, he sports a distinctive black headband and celebrates his tries with a swallow dive. He’s unafraid to engage with opponents and can often be seen playfully irritating them, including yanking off their scrum caps. Despite his limited experience, he’s not hesitant to lead team talks.
He backs up his boldness with standout performances, as demonstrated when he outperformed Leinster’s formidable back row trio of Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, and Jack Conan last weekend.
That sort of display undoubtedly affirmed Lions coach Andy Farrell’s decision to include him in the upcoming tour of Australia.
What are Farrell’s thoughts on Pollock?
Farrell has kept an eye on Pollock’s ascent and is clearly impressed.
He believes this “confident, cocky” young talent is capable of contending for a spot in the Test squad.
“What do we want? A kid displaying his confidence as a 23-year-old or a 24-year-old instead of as a 20-year-old?” Farrell questioned.
“It’s all about the present. If he’s competing against the level of quality he’s been facing, then he’s prepared to challenge.
“I believe you’ll see his determination, and I’m confident he’ll motivate others who may not have realised he was coming. I’m sure he’ll relish that.”
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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