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The South African
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The South African
One young star set for breakthrough year with Springboks
As the Springboks' 2025 season draws ever closer, Rassie Erasmus has made it clear that this will be another year in which he expands the depth available to the national team by balancing game-time between seniors and newcomers. There are a number of youngsters knocking on the door, but someone who is undoubtedly kicking that door down is none other than Sharks star Ethan Hooker. The 22-year-old is just at the start of a promising career, but the Junior Springbok has already enjoyed a meteoric rise for the Sharks, establishing himself as a key member of a star-studded starting line-up in Durban. On his route to the senior set up, Hooker won the SA Rugby U20 Cup and also formed part of the SA U20 squad that claimed a bronze medal at the World Rugby U20 Championship. Boasting raw pace and power, the 1.94m and 100kg newcomer has since enjoyed a breakthrough season for the Sharks in the URC, boasting the ability to play on the wing or in the midfield. It's unlikely that the Springbok coaches will consider him at centre just yet, but there is every reason to believe his integration into Test rugby could come via the wing, where he has been in top form this past season. The Springboks are blessed with depth on the left wing, but it's on the right wing where the national coaches will be keen to explore some back up options to Cheslin Kolbe in order to manage his game time effectively. This is where Hooker could certainly come into the picture, with his work rate, physicality, size and speed ticking all the boxes that would surely appeal to Rassie Erasmus and his team. Take this to the bank, a breakthrough year beckons on the horizon for Ethan Hooker. Remember the name! 28 June: vs Barbarians, DHL Stadium, Cape Town. Kick off: 17:05. 5 July: vs Italy, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria. Kick off: 17:10. 12 July: vs Italy, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha. Kick off: 17:10. 19 July: vs Georgia, Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit. Kick off: 17:10. 16 August: vs Australia, Ellis Park, Johannesburg. Kick off: 17:10. 23 August: vs Australia, DHL Stadium, Cape Town. Kick off: 17:10. 6 September: vs New Zealand, Auckland. Kick off: 09:05. 13 September: vs New Zealand, Wellington. Kick off: 09:05. 27 September: vs Argentina, Kings Park, Durban. Kick off: 17:10. 4 October: vs Argentina, London. Kick off: 15:00. 8 November: vs France, Paris. Kick off: TBD. 15 November: vs Italy, Turin. Kick off: TBD. 22 November: vs Ireland, Dublin. Kick off: 19:40. 29 November: vs Wales, Cardiff. Kick off: 17:10. *SA Rugby are working on adding one more Test for the Springboks, likely to be against Japan . Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news. Meanwhile, here is an important reminder on ticket sales for the Springbok men's game against Argentina in the Rugby Championship at Twickenham in October. Ticket sales Tickets are on sale via and England Rugby, starting from just £55* for adults and £28* for Under-16s. (*booking fees apply)
Wales Online
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Tonight's rugby news as Lions tour hit by World Rugby bombshell and Welsh coach admits he didn't know players' names
Tonight's rugby news as Lions tour hit by World Rugby bombshell and Welsh coach admits he didn't know players' names The latest headlines from Wales and around the world This summer's British & Irish Lions tour is set to feature a controversial law (Image:) These are your evening rugby headlines on Thursday, May 22. Lions tour hit by red card bombshell World Rugby have confirmed that the controversial 20-minute red card will be used in all elite competitions from later this year after it was approved for a global trial. It will come into force globally from August 1, with the governing body confirming that it will be in operation for both the Women's Rugby World Cup and World Rugby U20 Championship, while it is also set to be used during this summer's British & Irish Lions tour of Australia, according to World Rugby-owned RugbyPass The law, which allows teams to replace a red-carded player after 20 minutes has elapsed, has divided opinion across the rugby world since it was first trialled on the international stage in the autumn. Ireland and France are among the top nations to publicly hit out at the law, with those calling for it to be scrapped claiming it undermines player welfare and does not provide an effective deterrent against dangerous tackling. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. However, World Rugby chair Brett Robinson says the law "preserves the fairness and drama" of rugby by not punishing teams for the whole game or making contests too one-sided. 'Our mission is to ensure rugby is a compelling sport to play and watch," he said. "The 20-minute red card preserves the fairness and drama of elite competition by punishing the individual, not the entire team or the spectacle. Article continues below 'Player welfare is non-negotiable. We monitor data around head injuries, tackle height, and concussion rigorously – and transparently. If evidence ever indicated this trial posed greater risk, we would end it immediately.' However, World Rugby also confirmed that referees will still be able to issue a full and permanent red card for any foul play considered deliberate and highly dangerous. Two yellow cards, however, will result in a 20-minute red card being shown, unless the second yellow card offence in itself meets the requirements for a full red card. Welsh coach admits he didn't know players' names Wales scrum coach Adam Jones has admitted he initially didn't know the names of some of the squad when he came into camp for the first time ahead of this year's Six Nations. The legendary prop was brought in by Warren Gatland ahead of the tournament to act as a scrum consultant, on secondment from Harlequins. While he went back to the Gallagher Premiership side following the culmination of the Six Nations campaign, he has now returned to the Wales set-up for the summer tour of Japan as part of Matt Sherratt's team. While he is now up to speed with the squad - and even recommending players to be called up - Jones admits that when he first arrived in camp, he was unfamiliar with "a lot of the players" he was brought in to work with. Appearing on the latest episode of The Overlap's Stick To Rugby podcast, the three-time Grand Slam winner said: 'I wouldn't say I had watched a lot of the URC. 'A lot of the players, the backs coming, I was having to ask: 'What's his name?' I coach in the Premiership, so I don't see a lot of it. I went in with a clean slate." However, after getting to know the squad a bit better, Jones was impressed by the mentality on display amongst the players. "What I did find out straight away is that, they are young, but the main thing is, and this is a phrase Jerry Flannery used to say all the time: 'You can tell the Welsh boys care'," he said. 'They do care, and that is the main thing I took out of it. They are tough, they are not the biggest anymore, but they care, they're tough, we've got to build something around that as well. "We're never going to have the biggest players, you're never going to have a 150kg right-hand lock or a 160kg tight-head prop, unless you want to pick me again! 'That mentality of the Welsh - never know you're beaten, they'll fight to the end," he added. "That's the one thing I saw straight away.' Springbok banned after hit on Cardiff star Springboks star Damian Willemse will miss the Stormer's URC quarter-final against Glasgow after being handed a three-match ban. The full-back was sent off during the South African side's win over Cardiff in Cape Town on Friday, following a high hit on wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb shortly before the hour mark. The 27-year-old accepted he had committed an act of foul play and a red card offence and he was given a six-match suspension, which was then reduced to three due to his good disciplinary record. If he agrees to attend World Rugby's Coaching Intervention Programme - also known as 'tackle school' - Willemse's suspension will be reduced by one week. As a result, he will miss the Stormers' quarter-final clash against Glasgow next weekend, as well as their semi-final match if they make it through. If they are knocked out in the quarter-finals, however, Willemse will instead miss South Africa's uncapped match against the Barbarians in June. Pollock tipped to shine with Lions By Duncan Bech, PA England Rugby Correspondent Henry Pollock is being backed by England boss Steve Borthwick to continue his startling breakthrough season by becoming a Test British and Irish Lion this summer. Pollock won his only England cap against Wales in the final match of the Six Nations but that Cardiff cameo and some rampaging displays for Northampton in Europe have propelled him into Andy Farrell's squad for Australia. Still only 20, the high-energy flanker is one of the most exciting talents in English rugby and Borthwick believes his remarkable career trajectory could produce an appearance against the Wallabies. 'Nobody would bet against it. What struck us is that each and every level he steps up to, he really embraces that challenge,' Borthwick said. 'I sense he's somebody who just jumps all into it and doesn't contemplate it too much. Simply jumps into it and embraces the contest. And I expect him to do the same again this summer. 'Look at how quickly he's grown from being at our Six Nations training camp, then playing a couple of games with the Under-20s, to then joining our training camp again and playing at the end of the Six Nations. 'The form he's shown for Northampton since then – and in some of the biggest games – has been brilliant. He's clearly an incredibly talented player who just loves the challenge.' While Pollock will have responsibility for looking after the Lions' cuddly toy mascot 'BIL' for the entire tour due to being the squad's youngest player, another England forward will head Down Under as the first amongst equals. Maro Itoje has been placed in charge of the Lions for the 10-match itinerary that opens against Argentina in Dublin on June 20 – and Borthwick believes he will lead by example. 'I always remember an interview with Martin Johnson after 2003 and they were asking him 'what's the most important thing for a captain to do?'' said Borthwick in reference to England's World Cup-winning skipper, who also led the Lions in 1997 and 2001. Article continues below 'And in the typical Johnno way, with very few words, he replied: 'play well'. That's exactly what Maro does. 'Each and every week he plays 80 minutes of every contest. He's exceptional. That's the kind of role model you want as a captain. He also understands the game really well.'
South Wales Argus
21-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Nick Thomas wins fitness race for World Rugby U20 Championships
The 19-year-old, who made his senior debut for the Rodney Parade club last December, had an operation after injuring his left ankle against France in the Six Nations. Thomas is on course to return in the summer championships in Italy when Wales go up against France, Argentina and Spain in the group stages. Head coach Richard Whiffin has named a 45-strong training squad and 11 Dragons are included. INFLUENTIAL: Harry Beddall on the charge for Wales against England (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency) Flanker Harry Beddall, a summer signing from Leicester, is named along with Thomas, props Owain James and George Tuckley, back rowers Ryan Jones, Evan Minto and Cerrig Smith, scrum-half Logan Franklin, fly-half Harri Ford and wings Harry Rees-Weldon and Ioan Duggan. Beddall, Thomas, James, Minto, Franklin, Ford and Rees-Weldon all featured in the Six Nations. The youngsters will get the chance to impress when Wales take on England at Pontypool Park on Friday, June 6 with a meeting with Italy at Cardiff Arms Park seven days later. The official 30-player squad to travel to Italy for the Championship, which runs from June 29 to July 19, will be announced between the two warm-up fixtures. Whiffin said: 'This 45-man training squad is a mixture of guys that did really well during the Six Nations for us and then the U18s and U19s had a really good block post-Six Nations. 'The U18s went and won all three games out in Vichy and there's a number of those guys that stepped up. 'You also have the culmination of Super Rygbi Cymru – there are boys that have been putting their hand up in the last few weeks in that competition. 'It gives us an opportunity to put a bit of pressure on the guys that had the jersey in the Six Nations and also prepare for what guys might step up next year.' Wales training squad for 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship Forwards (25) Dylan Alford (Scarlets /RGC) Harry Beddall (Dragons RFC) Jake Bowen (Scarlets) Tom Cottle (RGC) Ioan Emanuel (Bath Rugby) Keanu Evans (Scarlets) Luke Evans (Exeter Chiefs) Will Evans (Scarlets) Dan Gemine (Ospreys) Deian Gwynne (Gloucester Rugby) Saul Hurley (Aberavon) Caio James (Gloucester Rugby) Owain James (Dragons RFC) Kenzie Jenkins (Bristol Bears) Ryan Jones (Dragons RFC) Evan Minto (Dragons RFC) Jac Pritchard (Scarlets) Sam Scott (Bristol Bears) Cerrig Smith (Dragons RFC) Harry Thomas (Scarlets) Nick Thomas (Dragons RFC) Louie Trevett (Bristol Bears) George Tuckley (Dragons RFC) Cameron Tyler-Grocott (Cardiff Rugby) Evan Wood (Pontypool / Cardiff Met) Backs (20) Aidan Boshoff (Bristol Bears) Tom Bowen (Cardiff Rugby) Rhys Cummings (Cardiff Rugby) Osian Darwin-Lewis (Cardiff Rugby) Sion Davies (Cardiff Rugby) Ioan Duggan (Dragons RFC) Lewis Edwards (Ospreys) Steff Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby) Elijah Evans (Cardiff Rugby) Harri Ford (Dragons RFC) Logan Franklin (Dragons RFC) Carwyn Leggatt-Jones (Scarlets) Ellis Lewis (Neath) Lloyd Lucas (Cardiff Rugby) Elis Price (Scarlets) Harry Rees-Weldon (Dragons RFC) Osian Roberts (Sale Sharks) Dylan Scott (Cardiff MET) Harri Wilde (Cardiff Rugby) Jack Woods (Bath Rugby)
Wales Online
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Tonight's rugby news as 'dangerous' star quits England for Wales and Dupont in surprise move
Tonight's rugby news as 'dangerous' star quits England for Wales and Dupont in surprise move The latest headlines from Wales and around the world Dupont has made a surprising new move in the rugby world (Image: Getty Images ) These are your evening rugby headlines on Friday, May 16. 'Dangerous' Welsh-qualified star leaves England for Wales Scarlets have confirmed the signing of "dangerous" Welsh-qualified full-back Ioan Jones following his depature from Gloucester. The 20-year-old, who hails from the West Country, is eligible to play for Wales through his father and has previously admitted "temptation" to represent them on the international stage. However, he joined Gloucester's development pathway progamme as a teenager and opted to represent England at age-grade level before winning the World Rugby U20 Championship with them last year. Jones played nine senior games for the Cherry & Whites this season, making appearances in the Gallagher Premiership and Challenge Cup as well as representing Hartpury in the RFU Championship. However, it was announced earlier this week that he would be departing Kingsholm at the end of the campaign, with Dwayne Peel's side snapping him up to bring him to Wales. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free A strong attacking player with aerial prowess and solid defensive skills, Jones has joined the Scarlets' senior academy but will join up with the senior squad for pre-season training the summer. "We are looking forward to welcoming Ioan to the Parc and it is great to see another young Welsh-qualified player committing to the Welsh game," said Peel as the signing was confirmed on Friday. Article continues below 'Ioan is an exciting attacking player who has excelled at U20s level and has already had experience with Gloucester in the Premiership and Challenge Cup. He will add to an exciting young pool of back three players we have at the club.' Scarlets Academy head coach Scott Sneddon added: 'Ioan is a talented player with good fundamentals. He is a dangerous runner, with an excellent skillset and is good aerially. "He has been part of a winning team with England U20s and was a real threat in the side that won the World Cup and the Six Nations last year.' Meanwhile, Jones said he was "extremely excited" to be joining the Parc y Scarlets side, adding: "Scarlets are a club with great history and an unbelievable fan base and I'm looking forward to ripping in come the start of the season. 'I'm excited to play under Dwayne Peel who has more than convinced me this is the right club to help take my game to the next level. To walk in the footsteps of so many legends like Jonathan Davies, Stephen Jones, Phil Bennett, is a hugely exciting prospect for me. 'The Scarlets are a young dynamic team that I'm looking forward to being a part of to continue their progression. I can't wait to wear the Scarlets jersey and give my all to help the club succeed.' Dupont makes surprise move France superstar Antoine Dupont has become a stakeholder in American side Rugby FC Los Angeles (RFCLA). The 28-year-old scrum-half and his company Ouest Coast have decided to invest in the franchise, which is currently competing in its second season in Major League Rugby. It comes after the French captain sparked rumours of his potential involvement with the club having been spotted in public sporting a RFLCA cap. After being welcomed into the franchise's ownership group, Dupont said he was "excited by the opportunity", which the club hailed as the start of a "new era". 'Rugby is more than just a sport; it's a community with strong values," he said. "Beyond competitive success on the pitch for RFCLA, I am excited by the opportunity to grow rugby's popularity in the States and establish an energetic hub of rugby culture that attracts players, fans, teams, and partners from around the world. 'Los Angeles is a unique place, combining the best of sports, entertainment, fashion, and culture – I can't think of any other place that provides such opportunities for youth development, high performance, and commercial success to go hand-in-hand.' Meanwhile, RFCLA chief executive Pete Sickle added: 'We feel very privileged that Antoine has chosen RFCLA as the pathway to inspire new rugby players and fans and to join us in growing a global rugby brand. "He is as dedicated to expanding the rugby community as he is to competing on the pitch ,and his vision for integrating the athleticism and core values of rugby will prove invaluable to building a bright future for rugby in LA and throughout the U.S." Hughes starts as Scarlets make play-off bid Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel has named his side to face Hollywoodbets Sharks as they bid to secure a URC play-off place in their final game of the regular season. After last weekend's stunning win over the Lions, the region could have their place in the play-offs secured even before their match in Durban on Saturday evening gets underway. But Peel wants his side's destiny to be in their own hands and has named a largely unchanged side for the clash, with two changes seeing Ryan Elias and Archie Hughes come into the starting lineup. Hughes has been handed his fourth senior start as he replaces Gareth Davies - who flew home from South Africa after suffering a rib injury against the Lions - at scrum-half, while Elias comes in for Marnus van der Merwe, who drops to the bench. In the back three, Blair Murray, Tom Rogers and Ellis Mee line up together, with Johnny Williams and Joe Roberts in the midfield and Sam Costelow starting alongside Hughes in the half-backs. Alec Hepburn, Elias and Henry Thomas pack down together in the front row with Alex Craig and Sam Lousi in the engine room and Vaea Fifita, captain Josh Macleod and Taine Plumtree in the back row. The Sharks have named a formidable matchday 23 stacked with Springboks, with Eben Etzebeth, Makazole Mapimpi and Bongi Mbonambi among those included. "There are a lot of things that can happen before our game, but the key for us is that our destiny is in our own hands," said Peel. "The Sharks have been going well, they are a team stacked full of Springboks so to get what we need is going to take a big effort. "The challenge of us is matching their physicality. That will be key. But as much as knowing the quality in their side, this is about ourselves, we are comfortable with how we want to play and it is about being able to replicate last week's performance this week. "We are prepping as normal, we want to try and get a result, we want to keep the momentum we have built having won our last four games." Scarlets: Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Joe Roberts, Johnny Williams, Ellis Mee; Sam Costelow, Archie Hughes; Alec Hepburn, Ryan Elias, Henry Thomas, Alex Craig, Sam Lousi, Vaea Fifita, Josh Macleod (capt), Taine Plumtree. Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Kemsley Mathias, 18 Sam Wainwright, 19 Dan Davis, 20 Jarrod Taylor, 21 Efan Jones, 22 Ioan Lloyd, 23 Macs Page. Ospreys make seven changes Ospreys head coach Mark Jones has made wholesale changes to his side to face Emirates Lions in their final game of the United Rugby Championship season. With both sides already out of the play-offf race, Jones has decided to make seven changes to his team for Saturday afternoon's match in Johannesburg, with Jac Morgan left out of the matchday 23. The other changes see Steffan Thomas replace his cousin Gareth at loosehead and pack down alongside Dewi Lake and Tom Botha, while James Ratti and James Fender replace Will Spencer and Adam Beard in the second row. Harri Deaves replaces organ in the back row with, and with Ratti moving to lock, Will Griffiths goes to blindside flanker with Morgan Morse retaining his place at number eight. Reuben Morgan-Williams comes in for Kieran Hardy at scrum-half, but Dan Edwards continues at fly-half and Keiran Williams and Evardi Boshoff also retain their places in the centres. Ryan Conbeer comes in for Keelan Giles on one wing, with Luke Morgan replacing Dan Kasende on the opposite flank and Jack Walsh continuing at full-back.. Twenty-year-old prop Kian Hire could also make his debut off the bench. Ospreys: Jack Walsh; Luke Morgan, Evardi Boshoff, Keiran Williams, Ryan Conbeer; Dan Edwards, Reuben Morgan-Williams; Steffan Thomas, Dewi Lake (capt), Tom Botha, James Ratti, James Fender, Will Griffiths, Harri Deaves, Morgan Morse. Replacements: Sam Parry, Garyn Phillips, Kian Hire, Lewis Jones, Lewis Lloyd, Kieran Hardy, Owen Williams, Iestyn Hopkins. Edinburgh hoping to leapfrog Welsh teams By Gavin McCafferty, PA Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt hopes momentum and a sell-out home crowd can help drive them into the United Rugby Championship play-offs. Edinburgh sit in 10th place in the URC table ahead of their final league match against Ulster at the Hive Stadium on Friday night. They need to jump two places to secure a quarter-final spot and Champions Cup rugby but are four points behind Scarlets and just two behind each of Benetton, Munster and Cardiff, with their four rivals for the top eight all facing different opponents. Everitt said: 'Last weekend's gritty victory in Galway was a testament to the resilience and character within this squad and it provides us with real momentum as we head into tomorrow night's match against Ulster. 'The passion and energy of our supporters at Hive Stadium have been incredible, and that atmosphere will be absolutely crucial in driving us forward once again. To be playing in front of third consecutive sell-out crowd will be simply amazing – it underscores the connection we have with our city. 'We know we are playing for Edinburgh, for our supporters, and we are determined to deliver a performance they can be proud of.' Article continues below Edinburgh welcome back winger Harry Paterson after concussion and Scotland centre James Lang has brushed off the injury that forced him out of the victory over Connacht. He replaces Mosese Tuipulotu, who misses out with a knee injury. Long-serving pair Jamie Ritchie and Mark Bennett return to the matchday 23 for what could be their final home appearance.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Who is Henry Pollock? England's one-cap sensation selected for British and Irish Lions
The home of Ampthill RUFC, Dillingham Park, is gloriously quaint, flanked on all sides by the forests of rural Bedfordshire. A visit to the Championship club requires the players of both teams to make their way out among the oak trees that cloak the glade of pitches, trudging through the mud out into an anachronistic arena for elite sport. And so it was at this somewhat unlikely location where on 22 December 2023, when much of the rest of the United Kingdom were entering their festive stupor, that a gloriously-gifted teenage back row announced his arrival on the senior stage; an acorn soon to grow to great things falling in the forest and producing a try heard around the world. Those inside rugby already had passing familiarity with the schoolboy exploits of Henry Pollock, a star at Stowe and an England Under-18 captain. But having been granted an opportunity to impress in his first year out of Northampton's academy on loan with the Bedford Blues, the openside flanker burst into the consciousness of the rugby public with a searing 75-metre score, in the process rounding two backs and holding off another with pace and power belying his tender years. British and Irish Lions squad LIVE: Andy Farrell reveals selection for 2025 tour And so began a rapid rise through the ranks of English rugby union. Mere months later, Pollock was a key part of England's U20 side as they secured the Six Nations title, bouncing back from a tough outing against Ireland to star against France in a febrile atmosphere in Pau. Come the summer, Pollock was the star of the side that secured World Rugby U20 Championship triumph in South Africa, England's first for eight years. So far, so good for a flanker clearly of huge talent – but recent history is littered with age-group stars who took time to make the grade at senior level. Ben Earl was a similar schoolboy sensation who had to toil to earn his first international opportunity, the Saracen taking time to realise his potential with England. But those who know felt there was something different about Pollock – and he quickly proved them right. When the British and Irish Lions squad was named by Andy Farrell on Thursday, the 20-year-old with one senior cap received the biggest cheer of the day when he was selected among the back row unit to take on the Wallabies. A couple of bumps there may have been along the way but this season has gone better even than Pollock's biggest backers might have thought. With the departures of Lewis Ludlam and Courtney Lawes freeing up space in Northampton's back row, the coaching hierarchy at Saints figured it best to take a patient approach, knowing that the time would come for their academy prospect to step in. But having left him out of the squad for the first two games of the Premiership season after a gruelling summer, Pollock has been virtually ever-present ever since. 'He doesn't need protecting,' director of rugby Phil Dowson said recently. 'I'm trying to protect everybody else. He's mad for it. That's what's great. Often, if not always, you'd have 18-, 19-year-olds who might be overawed whereas he actually feeds off that and that's just because he's a slightly different character.' The confidence that Pollock carries is clear on and off the field. Some teammates have found it difficult to adjust to how cocksure and conceited the youngster can seem. Where in the past more reserved figures have been favoured, there is a cross-sport trend of a new generation of athletes highly confident in their abilities and prepared to be brash and bold in their proclamations. Pollock is a shining example. But where other highly-rated young players have come into the England environment and shrunk or struggled, the Northampton openside has backed his words up. His debut at the end of the Six Nations in Cardiff came with the complete confidence of the coaching staff; a sparky two-try cameo against Wales was just a glimpse of what they had seen in training. 'He just comes on and wants to win,' head coach Steve Borthwick said in the immediacy of that win. 'He comes on and wants the ball. And if there's something I could change and develop with this team through this whole next generation, it is for them to be energised by the shirt, bring you all your personality, bring all your skill, and he did that today.' There are plenty who have tried to take Pollock down a peg, including Lawes in Northampton training. The big performances have kept on coming, though. His showing against Leinster in the Investec Champions Cup semi-final was another landmark moment, out-shining even a very good Josh van der Flier on the opposite side. 18 tackles, 21 defensive rucks hit, and another sensational solo score in which he cut between RG Snyman and Andrew Porter before rounding Sam Prendergast with effortless ease showcased his skillset in full. To reach for a lofty comparison, there are shades of All Black Ardie Savea to the way an elite athlete moves in space. 'Virtually every single game, he's doing something that would be a special moment in any other player's season,' Jason Sivil, a member of Northampton's strength and conditioning team, told The Telegraph recently. 'I've been working in this field for 20 years and there are very, very few players as gifted as Henry is. 'If Henry was in South Africa, he'd be an outlier. There are people physically put together like him, but not a lot of them. It wouldn't matter where Henry is in the world, he would be a stand-out.' Clearly there is refinement required. Pollock, like most scavenging sevens, can have a tendency to draw the referee's whistle; a student of the dark arts will at times fall foul of the lawbook. Competition for back row places was fierce – it is worth remembering that Pollock probably began the Six Nations as England's fourth-choice openside even with Sam Underhill injured and Jack Willis unavailable. There is nothing that Tom Curry, Ben Curry and Earl have done since to knock them down the pecking order. It may have been that Pollock was instead heading for Argentina with Borthwick's side. But that will have to wait after the Lions came calling.
