"I love the physicality" – Henry Pollock: Upcoming England back row star is at his best in 'confrontational' environments

12/16/2024 09:39 AM

Henry Pollock is an up and coming England prospect with expectation upon his shoulders. The 20-year-old back row has made a name for himself as one of his nation’s future stars, having exploded through the ranks of the England U20 set-up. A newly minted fan favourite in green, black and gold, Northampton fans have risen to full voice, as they back their man for his senior England Test debut.

The opportunity could well come along for Pollock next year, as the initial plans were unveiled for Steve Borthwick’s side, to go on a Summer tour of Argentina and the United States. The tour is expected to take place whilst the British & Irish Lions head down under to Australia, which will open up an assortment of opportunities for the fringe and future players to make their England mark.

It was also confirmed last week that an England XV will take on a France XV, in an uncapped exhibition match at the Allianz Stadium next June. Whilst this would not see Pollock bestowed with his inaugural piece of England embroidered head-wear, it would certainly be an opportune stepping stone, to book his place on the plane down to Buenos Aires.

Pollock recently starred for the England A team this past November, as he took home a Player of the Match award from the win against Australia A. With his international career progressing at a meteoric trajectory, Pollock discussed his England aspirations in a recent post-match interview. The young flanker expressed how he relishes in the confrontation of a physicality on-field battle, just moments after the England A side put the Junior Wallabies to the sword at the Twickenham Stoop.

“I love the physicality. I think I’m at my best when I’m confrontational. So just not shying away from that. I thought it was really physically hard today, and credit to Australia, they put out quite a good fight.”

Pollock was penalised in the match for a rather needless offence, as he ripped the scrum cap off an Australian opponent and sent it sailing away from the breakdown bust-up. “I think that’s kind of the physicality aspect you love in the game.” Pollock added. “But, yeah, I think he just hit me, I can’t remember to be honest, I didn’t react very well to it. Probably looking back on it, probably shouldn’t have done it but you can’t live with regrets, I guess.”

The run out at the Twickenham Stoop was Pollock’s first venture to the home of the Harlequins, and he relished the chance to make his mark in the England A colours. Whilst the spotlight was firmly planted upon Pollock for the duration of the match, the Northampton back row was quick to shed light upon how his teammates were each impressive in their own rights, as a new generation of talented young players eye up a future in the senior England squad.

“I think the Stoop today was amazing, like the crowd was amazing to come out and play in that in front of that crowd. I’ve never played at the Stoop before, so that’s different for me, yeah, as I said, Look, we kind of spoke about the opportunity it is to come out here and wear the shirt and look, I think 1 to 23 we all did that, and like everyone proved why they should be in that senior squad and moving forward for the rest of the season.”

“(I am) Just enjoying it. You don’t know how long your career is going to be or how short it’s going to be. So every single moment, just enjoying it. Enjoying the challenge of each game and each week and, yeah, trying to get better each day.”

Pollock expressed how he has a special unit of family and friends to fall back on, when his time in the spotlight takes a lot out of him. With an strong understanding of how to prioritise his mental health, Pollock has plenty of methods in place to keep his feet on the ground to avoid getting overwhelmed by the newfound attention.

“Yeah, I have a really close family around me.” The back row added. “Friends and family that I can go speak to that about, like, kind of go back to them most weekends, most weeks, talk to them. that kind of keeps me grounded and keeps me level headed. So I say the unit around me is massively important too.”

Outside of his family, a certifiable England legend has played his part in supporting the emerging talent that is Henry Pollock. 2003 Rugby World Cup winning back row Richard Hill has reached out to the young man at times, with the former ‘Silent Assassin’ of Saracens lending his advice to the next star of the England back row. Hill took up a position as England Team Manager back in 2019, and has remained apart of the staff throughout the transition from Eddie Jones into the Steve Borthwick’s era.

“Yeah, he’s (Richard Hill) been in contact with me. We’ve had phone calls at the start of the year, and he’s been really helpful. But I guess as a six, as the Autumn Nations kind of come on, it’s harder for him to have that contact. But yeah, as I said, he’s been really good. And anything that he tells Mark (Mapletoft – England U20s and A head coach) he takes it on board, and I’m very happy to speak to him.

“He was a great player for his country, to get that kind of experience from someone, a great like him is massively, massively important for me, and I’ll take anything he says (on board).”

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