British and Irish Lions: Henry Pollock can add to his ‘highlights reel’ with inclusion in Andy Farrell’s Test side | Rugby Union News

Henry Pollock is nothing less than a mesmerical increase in the rugby union in the last 12 months and a test ceiling for the British and Irish lions is at a sidelines. But how did the mercurial rear row take everything in its stride for the club, the country and now the lions?

July 19, 2024, Cape Town and Pollock play a central role in the rear row while England beat France 21-13 to win the World Rugby U20 final.

The same date a year later could write the last chapter of what was a phenomenal story for the saints Northampton forward if he had to take his place in the first trial of Andy Farrell in Brisbane to face Australia, live on Sky Sports.

If it is in this match 23, one thing is certain that Pollock, 20, will not shiver the challenge or narrowing on the big stage, such was the confidence and the competence to which he has dealt with all the challenges since this U20 global final.

“Everything came so fast and I just try to take advantage of the ride and take advantage of every moment,” he told Dan Biggar de Sky Sports before a try against the Aunz Invitational XV in Adelaide last weekend.

The youngest Lion of Tour has, without a doubt, adopted everything that came with the environment, from the knowledge of new teammates, to the very important responsibility to take care of Bil, the mascot of the team.

“He is still by my side fortunately, so I haven’t lost it yet,” he joked.

“Bundee Aki was the main one who was trying to hide to me so far.

“There were a few opportunities when I dropped it during team races or heated them, then I turned to see that it is not there and I had to spend 15 minutes trying to find it and prepare for the game, which was delicate.

“But it’s a great tradition and I am honored to have it by my side.”

But Pollock surely wants us to remember him for having done more on this tour than simply taking care of a hug lion?

Its X-Factor displays since helping England U20S to raise silverware in South Africa have included Two try his debut in England Against Wales in Cardiff in a swinging victory for six nations, catchy performances (and celebrations!) During the Northampton race in the Champions Cup final last season and impressive displays both on the bench and since the start in a lions jersey.

“I want to play,” said Pollock when he was asked if he thought he can do the first test side.

“Everyone wants to play and it’s a competition group, especially in the rear row. We have a very strong group there.

“Everyone is competitive and we all drive in the same direction and it is an incredible environment to do. It is very rare that you get five or six guys who all shoot in the same direction, wanting the same thing.

“Combinations change week in a week, so we all try to learn as much as possible from each other.

“If you are chosen, you are chosen and if not, you just try to be the best teammate you may be for him at the best of his capabilities.”

“ A protruding coil player ”

Mark Mapletoft is a man who witnessed the rise of Pollock in the first hand after having trained him during this trip to England of the U20 and taking charge of his England a beginning against Australia last winter.

“I think anyone as a coach who said he had seen that coming would deform the truth a little,” said Mapletoft Sky Sports.

“But I think you have to bring it back further than a year ago. Henry has always been a high performance in terms of performance leading to the selection.

“He participated in the England Pathways program from the captain of a U18 tour in South Africa still at 17.

“In this England, a match against Australia, one thing I told her was:” On the field, there is no massive expectation for you, but whatever you do, do not lose your energy around the group because it is essential to what you are as a person “.

“” Just because you bounce back in a senior environment, don’t stop being who you are “.

“And it is great to see that when he has evolved and played brilliantly for the saints, England, then the lions how much he maintained this degree of advantage, whether in his test celebrations or part of the scandalous game he has succeeded.

“Henry has a lot of strong moments. He is extremely aggressive, powerful, quickly with his port, he is intrepid, he has a lot of energy around the group.”

These are exactly the qualities that convinced Farrell to name him in the original 38 men team for the tour of Australia and now Pollock will compete with players such as Josh Van Der Flier, Jac Morgan, Tom Curry and Ben Earl for a place in this row of lions.

“In the end, for any player, the most important piece for him is the consistency of the work specific to the position you need to make as back breaking,” added Mapletoft.

“Henry will create moments of highlighting. It’s just the type of player he is.

“If he continues to make” bread and butter bits “, to count the number, of precision, of the ability to slow down the ball, to put yourself in position on both sides of the ball and to do your job, that is what will mark him as a really world class player.

“If he can do that, then the sky is the limit for the boy.”

And clearly Pollock targets the sky, already saying that he can not see any reason for the Lions not to be able to Win this next series of 3-0 tests, Display the confidence that has been clear to see at every stage of your trip.

Will the next step be a performance made of testing in the famous Lions jersey? You won’t find a lot of screen this chance.

Sky Sports will exclusively show the tour of the British and Irish lions in 2025 in Australia, with the three tests against the Wallabies and six warm -up matches to show exclusively live.