Whether or not you’re an avid rugby fan or have by no means watched a recreation in your life, there’s a good probability you have got heard of Henry Pollock.
Each every now and then, a sport witnesses an increase so meteoric that it transcends the sport itself.
Having gone from England debutant to British and Irish Lion in two unfathomably quick months, rugby’s second is right here – and Pollock is the person of that second.
The collection of the 20-year-old – the youngest member of Andy Farrell’s 38-man squad – has added one other layer of intrigue forward of this summer time’s tour of Australia, the place the Lions go in quest of solely their second collection victory in 28 years.
Pollock-mania has rippled by way of 4 nations and has even touched his soon-to-be team-mates, with Scotland centre Sione Tuipulotu relishing stepping on to the sector alongside somebody as unashamedly daring because the Northampton flanker.
Talking of an opportunity assembly at Twickenham with Pollock, earlier than he had even made his England debut, Tuipulotu informed Sky Sports activities: “I met the person earlier than I met the rugby participant.
“I met Henry once I was doing the industrial bits throughout the Six Nations once I was injured. He was simply beginning his rise then, he hadn’t made his debut for England but, he debuted the next week towards Wales. Every thing that has occurred since then, I’m simply stoked for him.
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Henry Pollock produced the most important cheer of the day on the British and Irish Lions squad announcement, sending The O2 enviornment into raptures after the Northampton star was included
“His persona is one thing that’s so good for rugby. As a fellow athlete, I perceive that persona, he simply backs himself and I feel that’s superb.
“I do know from taking part in skilled sport, these are the gamers you need to play with as a result of they’re those that arise when issues get sizzling. The gamers that put themselves on the market to get criticised, they’re those you need to play with as a result of they do not care.
“I suppose that’s what I like about him. I am wanting ahead to attending to know him off the sector a bit extra.”
‘Pollock has set the usual’
Given the fierce competitors for locations as a Check starter and the brutal rigours of a Lions tour, how large a task, if any, Pollock performs down below stays to be seen.
However, even from a distance, Scotland prop Pierre Schoeman has been struck by Pollock’s strength of will which he’s assured will raise the squad no matter whether or not he will get on the pitch.
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Watch as Pollock and his Northampton Saints team-mates Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith and Tommy Freeman have a good time being chosen for the Lions squad
“Pollock has set the usual for being your self, backing your self,” Schoeman stated.
“For those who’re ok you’re sufficiently old, and that comes right down to mentality. The physique follows the place the thoughts goes. For those who suppose you are ok, painting that and do it.
“He is a superb bloke. I am happy with him, and actually stoked for him and his journey. He can contribute massively. His vitality on and off the pitch will add worth to a gaggle.
“I suppose, for all of us, it is essential to not focus an excessive amount of on people however collectively.”
Pollock ‘performing to the hype’
Onlookers have marvelled at Pollock’s ascension, and so too have those that have witnessed his rise first hand.
Having performed the primary 46 minutes of England’s remaining 2025 Six Nations match towards Wales, Luke Cowan-Dickie watched on from the sidelines as Pollock introduced himself on the worldwide stage with two tries on debut in an emphatic 68-14 victory for Steve Borthwick’s males in Cardiff.
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British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell spoke extremely of Pollock, who was chosen regardless of solely having one worldwide cap
“Hats off to him, he is put within the graft, he is acting on large levels,” Cowan-Dickie stated. “He is bought the hype round him in the meanwhile and he is performing to that hype.
“He deserved the call-up as a lot as anybody else has. I hope he exhibits what he has proven by way of the Six Nations.
“He is a high lad, he is nonetheless younger, not everybody has the hearth, however he appears like he is bought one thing to show being so younger. If he trains laborious, something can occur.”
For Cowan-Dickie, the fearlessness of youth could properly show to be Pollock’s biggest power in Australia.
“Youngsters his age see issues in a different way,” the Sale Sharks ahead added. “I do not suppose he sees expectation or concern, he is simply going with it.
“He is proven what he can do on the sector week in, week out, I do not suppose he’ll change going into this tour.”
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Watch the Lions tour of Australia dwell on Sky Sports activities in 2025
Sky Sports activities will solely present the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, with all three Assessments towards the Wallabies and 6 warm-up matches to be proven solely dwell.
British and Irish Lions 2025 tour schedule
Date
Opponent
Venue
Friday, June 20
Argentina
Dublin
Saturday, June 28
Western Power
Perth
Wednesday, July 2
Queensland Reds
Brisbane
Saturday, July 5
NSW Waratahs
Sydney
Wednesday, July 9
ACT Brumbies
Canberra
Saturday, July 12
Invitational AU-NZ
Adelaide
Saturday, July 19
AUSTRALIA (first Check)
Brisbane
Wednesday, July 22
First Nations & Pasifika XV
Melbourne
Saturday, July 26
AUSTRALIA (second Check)
Melbourne
Saturday, August 2
AUSTRALIA (third Check)
Sydney
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