Young England star lovingly mobbed by team-mates after British Lions call up
Northampton Saints have four of their players heading to Australia for the British and Irish Lions tour as Henry Pollock received the love of his team-mates when the squad was announced
Henry Pollock was mobbed by his Northampton Saints team-mates after he was picked in the British and Irish Lions squad. The 20-year-old has enjoyed a meteoric rise and, after only one England cap, will now tour Australia this summer.
Pollock had excelled with the England U20s and has now become a mainstay with Northampton. He made his debut for England in the last round of the Six Nations, scoring two tries on his debut against Wales. He furthered his credentials with an exceptional performance in the European Cup semi-final win over Leinster at the weekend.
Amid growing calls to be included Andy Farrell opted to name the Pollock in his squad with the youngster watching the announcement alongside his club team-mates.
The Premiership side recorded the live reactions and Pollock was leapt on by his team-mates. He was one of four Northampton players to be included and Gabby Logan commented: "Well done Henry" on the video. Tommy Freeman and Alex Mitchell were also named among the backs.
As was Fin Smith, who is among the three fly-halves with many tipping him to be a First Test starter. Smith punched the air when his name was read out and cut an emotional figure as he was mobbed by his team-mates.
Northampton, despite struggling in their efforts to defend their Premiership crown, have excelled in Europe and will contest the Champions Cup final against Bordeaux in Cardiff later this month after upsetting the odds at the weekend.
Head coach Andy Farrell said on his selections: 'It is about different combinations. On tour the games come thick and fast. You have got to have those hybrid players that are able to fill in. As we know it is one hell of a schedule. 10 games in six weeks will test everyone.'
Assistant coach Johnny Sexton, who went on two tours as a player, added: 'A huge day for all the players and their families. I have been on both sides of it, where it's the best day of your career and then where it's the worst day of your career. I have experience as a player and being able to pass on my experience is something I'm passionate about.'
Smith was coy about his chances of making the squad when quizzed on Saturday, but knew that his stellar performance at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin would've put him firmly in the shop window.
He had said: 'One hundred per cent. Wait and see. I don't think we did ourselves any harm today. Look, I'm going to give you a boring answer but fingers crossed. We'll be watching that telly but we definitely didn't do ourselves any harm.'
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