Pollock’s time
England and Northampton Saints star back-row Henry Pollock's selection follows an impressive run of form at club level, where his tenacity, versatility, and work rate have earned him plaudits in the Gallagher Premiership and Champions Cup competitions. His first call-up comes less than a year after helping England win World Rugby’s Under-20 Championship last summer.
At just 20, Pollock was a key figure of the England U20 side which saw so much success in 2024. His performances in the 2024 Six Nations Under-20s Championship were particularly eye-catching, scoring four tries (including a hat-trick versus Italy) and being named the 2024 Player of the Championship.
Back in November 2024, a then 19-year-old Pollock made his senior debut for England A in a match against Australia A. Demonstrating remarkable composure and skill on such a significant stage, he was named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance. Offering an insight post-game into what makes him perform, Pollock said: “I think I’m at my best when I’m confrontational, so it’s about not shying away from that”.
Mark Mapletoft, the England A and U20 head coach, said of Pollock: “The thing that has impressed me most [about Pollock] isn’t necessarily the man-of-the-matches he’s picked up. By his own admission, he didn’t have a great game last year against Scotland [U20] away. He probably let the occasion get to him. But he recalibrated and went again, and that’s a rare skill in a young player – he’d only just turned 19 at that point.
“He was on an upward curve and his legs were chopped from beneath him. How he’s responded to that is a sign of someone who can keep progressing. If he gets the breaks in the future, who knows?”
England’s injury list
Pollock steps in for Harlequins' No.8 Alex Dombrandt, while Clark replaces Northampton’s Alex Coles, with both sidelined after sustaining injuries during the latest round of European rugby.
England’s preparations have been further disrupted by the loss of vice-captain Jamie George for the crucial match against Ireland, alongside injury concerns for scrum-halves Alex Mitchell and Jack van Poortvliet.
Hooker George suffered a hamstring injury during Saracens' Investec Champions Cup loss to Castres on Sunday and has been ruled out of the tournament's early stages, as confirmed by England Rugby.
Northampton’s Mitchell picked up a knee injury in Saturday’s clash with Munster but remains in contention for the Ireland game after travelling with the squad to their pre-Championship training camp in Girona to continue rehabilitation.
Providing cover, Northampton’s Curtis Langdon, capped twice in 2021, joins the squad as a hooker option, while Bath captain Ben Spencer and Sale’s Raffi Quirke bolster England’s scrum-half ranks amidst the injury crisis.
England’s preparations for the 2025 Guinness Men’s Six Nations Championship have started today (Monday 21st) in Girona, Spain, as they prepare for their Championship opener against current holders Ireland at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin.
As England looks to reclaim a Six Nations title that has eluded them since 2020, the addition of young, hungry players like Pollock signals a bright future. Fans will undoubtedly be watching closely as he takes his first steps on the Test stage.
