Henry Pollock was named as a British and Irish Lion on Thursday and the Northampton sensation begun believing he might get the call after a phenomenal try away at Sale
Henry Pollock admits “the hype” over his try for Northampton Saints away at Sale Sharks made him believe that a spot on the British and Irish Lions place was within his grasp.
The 20-year-old has completed a meteoric rise this week, arriving into this Premiership season with one appearance to his name, he’s now rubbing shoulders with the best Britain and Ireland can offer after being picked by Andy Farrell on Thursday.
Pollock has passed every test put in front of him and is seen as one of English rugby’s hottest properties. All of his skills were on show back in March when he scored a stunning solo try during a defeat at Sale. The back row, who has all the skills and attributes needed to be a back, scythed and kicked his way through the defensive line opposing him.
The Northampton star was passed the ball on the halfway line, sidestepping and handing off two Sale defenders, before producing a sumptuous chip, which he managed to chase down before crossing the white wash.
It was after that moment, with the clip of the try going viral online, that Pollock dared to dream of a spot on the tour to Australia with his stock going up and up.
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He was quizzed on when he begun to believe and said: “Probably the end of the Six Nations, potentially. Or maybe that Sale away game. I think after that try, potentially, the hype over it in the media did increase. I thought about it then. But as I said, I’m not really going into games trying to think about that. I’m just trying to do my job for the team, whether that’s hitting rucks or throwing a line-out, it’s something that I’m just doing for the team.”
Pollock made his debut off the bench in England’s final game of the Six Nations. During the demolition of Wales he scored two tries to further prove that the hype was justified. He’s since bossed a European Cup semi-final and believes a Test start is more than feasible.
“I don’t think the coaches would have picked me unless they thought that,” said Pollock. “The last year has been mad, a whirlwind and everything has come so fast and I am definitely going on the tour to try and play. I don’t want to sit there and watch. But if I am doing that I would be happy to.”
The Lions’ last series victory came in Australia 12 years ago. When Jamie Roberts, Alun Wyn Jones and co were claiming that victory Pollock was just eight years old. It was the tour to New Zealand four years later that really left its mark on him.
He said: “I remember watching the New Zealand tour, in a holiday bar, going down with my dad and brother to watch that. Was it 2017? And I remember thinking ‘god this is sick. It is everything you want to be as a rugby player, it is the pinnacle of the sport, the highest honour you can achieve in the sport. I remember thinking it is just mad.”