Henry Pollock says he is ‘relishing the challenge’ of a huge summer ahead with England after his player-of-the-match performance in the Gallagher PREM final.
The 21-year-old back rower signed off his club season with a flourish, with an outstanding display in the Home Play-Off against Leicester Tigers, before leading the charge to defeat Exeter Chiefs 26-17 at Allianz Stadium a week later.
Pollock is now one of six Saints players who will now link up with Steve Borthwick’s squad for the Nations Championship that sees England take on South Africa, Fiji and Argentina in successive weekends.
“I am relishing the challenge,” said Pollock. “We have three big Test matches. The Six Nations didn’t go our way, and we’re still hurting from that a bit. I’m buzzing to get into camp and be around the boys.
“There’s no bigger challenge than going to South Africa and playing at altitude in one of the biggest stadiums in the world. These are the things you dream of. The final was a dream — hopefully that will be another memory to lock in the brain.”
Pollock has already tasted success on South African soil, having lifted the World Rugby U20 Championship there only two years ago. “I’ve been out there and won the World Cup with the 20s. I’ll use that experience, but it’s a very different game at the senior international level. I’m trying to adapt my game and get better.”
And despite a gruelling few years that has seen Pollock wrack up the games for club, country and the British and Irish Lions, he insists there’s more to come before the 2025/26 campaign is done.
“There are lots of demands on us,” he agreed. “But we trust the coaches and staff to manage us well. Those international games are the ones you want to play in. You want to go away and play against the best in the world.”
Pollock heads off into international duty with a spring in his step having delivered when it mattered most as Saints lifted the PREM trophy for a third time in their history.
“You want to be the person who steps up in these big games. Put your hand up, go forward, push the team with you,” he said. “I’m very fortunate I was able to do that — but I’ve got a great team around me. This team is all about freedom, playing what’s in front of you. I’m loving my time here and enjoying every moment.”
“I haven’t changed anything. It’s probably more a mindset thing. These are the games you want to step up in: semi‑finals and finals. We had a lot of boys who did that, and that’s one of the reasons we won.”