“This Is Essentially Your New Partner”: The Reason Behind Rugby Prodigy’s Quest to Transport a Massive Stuffed Toy Across Australia

Henry Pollock will need to keep his wits about him over the coming six weeks.

The 20-year-old talent from England is not only immersed in learning the British and Irish Lions playbook but also has an essential secondary role to fulfil on the tour down under.

Since the tour of New Zealand and Australia in 1950, the respected composite rugby team has brought along a stuffed lion mascot.

The care of the mascot falls to the youngest player on the tour, who is responsible for bringing it to all team activities, training sessions, and, of course, games.

The current mascot is a large creature affectionately known as ‘BIL’—short for British Irish Lion.

Before this, the mascot Leo was retired in 2013 after many years of loyal service.

According to legend, the Lions management sought a more fierce and larger mascot, leading to BIL’s discovery in a Geneva airport shop.

During the 2017 New Zealand tour, Lions captain Maro Itoje undertook the duty of mascot caretaker and emphasised its significance to Pollock before the squad arrived in Perth on Sunday.

“Henry, you need to keep it with you at all times. Take it to every training session. When we are in camp at the hotel, it has to be right beside you,” Itoje advised.

NEW PODCAST! The British and Irish Lions face enthusiastic fans upon their arrival in Perth, while the Wallabies gear up for action in Sydney.

“Each time BIL goes missing or wanders off, there will be a fine, the amount of which will be determined by the fines committee. You are allowed to leave it behind only when on social outings. Otherwise, this will effectively become your new best friend.”

However, chaos ensued just under an hour into Pollock’s inaugural training session, as Bundee Aki snatched BIL and hid it behind the team’s lockers.

“I feel a bit sorry for him,” mused Pollock.

“I was considering attaching an air tag to him in case he gets lost. Just inserting it and sewing it back up would ensure we never misplace him again. However, there is significant pressure surrounding BIL. Louis Rees-Zammit found the experience so daunting (in 2021) that he moved on to the NFL—that’s how intense it can be. I hope it won’t be that stressful. I’m looking forward to it,” Pollock expressed.

Stuart Hogg, the Scottish fullback who held lion duties during the 2013 tour in Australia, mentioned that the mascot exacerbated his hay fever.

“Whenever I hold that lion, my eyes start swelling up, and dealing with its long mane is a bit of a nightmare—it gets rather itchy,” Hogg commented.

“I may have a chat with the coach and see what he suggests regarding that.”

Pollock is a confident rugby prospect with impressive speed and agility for a loose forward.

However, his Lions career started on the back foot, as he played up for the cameras before entering the field off the bench during the 28-24 loss to Argentina in Dublin.

“It was just about creating excitement for the crowd, wasn’t it? Getting the people pumped up, and then he saw the camera—yes, I’m on the big screen, here we go. Brilliant,” commented Wallabies legend Matt Burke on Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts.

“In the modern game, this is a substantial part of the entertainment and the younger players’ showreel.”

“However, the key issue is being able to back it up. He was too easily brushed aside for a try.”

Morgan Turinui forecasted that Pollock would rebound impressively and establish his presence in Australia.

The Lions are set to commence their nine-match tour against the Western Force in Perth this Saturday.

“He’ll excel during the midweek games,” Turinui remarked.

“He’s been selected based on the immense potential he possesses. He has the makings of a remarkable international player. He’s not quite there yet, but this tour will provide him with invaluable experience. He’ll find plenty of game time during the midweek matches.

“Australian fans may find him a bit of a villain. There might be some light-hearted jeers, but it’s clear you’re looking at a talented player.”

Pollock is already familiar with Wallabies forward Tom Hooper after they squared off in a match between the Australia XV and England A at Twickenham Stoop in London last November.

“Any clash between England and Australia is a significant rivalry, transcending sports. Look at the Ashes—it’s never an easy affair. I believe this Lions series will also carry that intensity,” Pollock shared with The i Paper.

“That’s the aspect of the game that I truly cherish and look forward to. Whatever happens, I’m eager to put on a memorable performance. I want to engage the fans and enhance their enjoyment of the game. It’s time to bring something fresh to rugby. We should aspire to fill the stadiums and have fans snapping up tickets in moments. Anything we can do, as players and as a team, to make that happen will undoubtedly help grow the sport further.”