'Scottish' youngster can't play for Scotland because he played for England A
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England's latest addition to their Girona training camp, Henry Pollock, has declared it his "goal" to break into the senior England side. However, the dynamic back-row forward hasn't entirely shut the door on representing Scotland in the future.
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Oxfordshire-born but Proudly Scottish-Qualified
Pollock, born in Oxfordshire to Scottish parents, is eligible to play for Scotland. Despite his ambitions with England, his roots are undeniably Scottish. Speaking on The Rugby Pod, Pollock candidly admitted:
"I am Scottish-qualified; my mum and dad are Scottish. I'll admit, we used to support Scotland when we were younger."
However, his allegiance currently leans towards England after earning a cap for England A in November. Pollock delivered a commanding player-of-the-match performance against Australia A, a match that now ties him to England for three years under World Rugby's eligibility rules.
A Star in the Making
At just 20 years old, Pollock is considered one of the brightest prospects in English rugby. Capable of excelling at both No. 7 and No. 8, he's already being tipped as a mainstay in the England back-row for years to come.
A product of the Northampton Saints academy, Pollock honed his craft at Rugby School, one of the sport's most prestigious institutions. Known for his explosive ball-carrying, tireless work rate, and leadership qualities, he captained England at the U20 Six Nations Summer Series in 2022, underlining his potential on the international stage.
Keeping Scotland on the Radar
While Pollock's immediate focus is on donning the red rose, he hasn't ruled out a potential switch back to his roots further down the line:
"I think the England A game capped me, so unfortunately for the next three years, I will be trying to push for that England squad. But I think route one would be England; that is my goal. Potentially, you never know, I could follow in Jim's [Hamilton] footsteps."
With his star rising rapidly, England may need to move quickly to ensure Pollock's international ambitions stay firmly in their camp. For now, he's fully committed to the England pathway—but as rugby fans know, the pull of one's heritage is a powerful thing.
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Six Nations stadium rankings: Every ground ranked from worst to best
The Six Nations is as much about iconic stadiums as it is about world-class rugby. These venues are steeped in history, buzzing with atmosphere, and uniquely tied to their host nations. But which one truly reigns supreme?
We turned to TripAdvisor for the cold, hard verdict, pairing unbiased ratings with a bit of stadium backstory to give you the ultimate ranking. Here's everything you need to know about the Six Nations' homes – plus, cast your vote for your favourite at the end!
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6. Stadio Olimpico (Italy) – 4.09
Capacity: 70,634
Location: Rome, Italy
Opened: 1953
The bio: Italy's national stadium wasn't originally designed for rugby – its primary purpose was athletics and football. But since Italy joined the Six Nations in 2000, the Stadio Olimpico has been its home, offering fans the chance to watch rugby under the shadow of Rome's stunning architecture. Despite its historic charm, the stadium's track and distance from the pitch have drawn criticism for hindering the atmosphere.
GOOD REVIEW: "Came here for the rugby, my first international game and I was not disappointed. Lovely stadium, lots of entertainment outside and inside the stadium, not ripped off for food and drinks, everyone was friendly, and the atmosphere was electrifying."
BAD REVIEW: "It’s unbelievable that this is the main stadium in Rome. It’s old, dirty, and uncomfortable, and even 3rd division clubs in the UK have better facilities."
5. Stade de France (France) – 4.24
Capacity: 81,338
Location: Saint-Denis, Paris, France
Opened: 1998
The bio: Built for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, the Stade de France is the largest stadium in the Six Nations and hosts both football and rugby. Known for its impressive size and acoustics, it's an intimidating fortress when Les Bleus are on form. However, some fans feel the sheer size of the stadium and hostile atmosphere for visiting supporters detract from its charm.
GOOD REVIEW: "I'm an American, and some of the reviews for this stadium, in my opinion, do not do it justice. It is as good as some of the best US sports stadiums. I thought it was great."
BAD REVIEW: "This venue is not suitable for visiting fans. The atmosphere is hostile to say the least and therefore particularly unsuitable for families."
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