In January, Northampton flanker Henry Pollock scored two amazing tries against Stade Francais in the Champions Cup, but back then, he wasn’t close to joining England’s Six Nations team.
Now, just five months later, he has played his first Test match, been selected for the British and Irish Lions tour this summer, and scored six more tries for his club.
The 20-year-old has been a key player in helping Northampton Saints reach the Champions Cup final on Saturday against Bordeaux-Begles in Cardiff.
Pollock, who used to captain England’s under-20 team, told reporters on Tuesday, “This journey has been incredible.
“Playing in European finals and on big stages is every rugby player’s dream.
“I’m really excited for it to begin.”
Also Read: Ceremony at the runner-up venue, waiting for the champions
Pollock, who enjoys UFC and golf, became famous internationally just seven weeks after turning 20. He scored two tries in his first game for England against Wales at the Millennium Stadium in March.
Since then, he has scored six tries, including one in a big Champions Cup semi-final win against Leinster, a team that has won the cup four times. This happened just days before the Lions squad was announced.
Former England player Lewis Moody said, “Only in the last six weeks before the Lions was he being thought about for the team. Suddenly, he went from maybe being chosen to definitely being picked.”
Pollock is now very popular not only with Northampton fans but across English rugby. Fans wear black headbands to honor him, kids have his name on their shirts, and his lively personality makes him well-liked on social media.
Tommy Freeman, a winger for Northampton and England, said on a podcast, “I love seeing how fast he has become successful, it’s great.” He also joked, “It’s a bit painful when he says to me, ‘You have 20 caps for England, but I only have one. You have 50,000 followers, and I have 111,000!’”
Pollock and Freeman, along with teammates Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith, are part of the current Saints team known for playing exciting rugby and getting good results.
Moody said, “Having a group of players around the same age who can support each other is very important.”
He added, “I think that’s a big advantage.”
This weekend, Pollock is expected to start for the Saints as they aim to win their first Champions Cup since 2000.
It will also be his first time back in the Welsh capital since his amazing Test debut two months ago.
Pollock said, “I have great memories of that day. It all feels like a blur.”
He added, “It will be nice to visit the stadium again in person and hopefully remember those great moments.”
