Henry Pollock's Hunger for Success Drives Northampton Saints

The Rise of Henry Pollock

As Henry Pollock idly plays with the straggly end of his blond rat’s tail on a sunny day in Northampton, he looks wholly at ease. There are more microphones in front of him than anyone else, but that’s fine. Exeter are preparing to hit him with everything they can muster, but that’s fine too. If you’re aspiring to stand out from the crowd, it’s all part of the deal.

Pollock's Journey to the Premiership Final

English rugby’s most exuberant young talent has been catching up fast ever since: two tries in Cardiff on his full England debut, a British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, a Champions Cup final. For a 21-year-old, it is a striking CV. But securing a Prem title alongside his best mates and then taking down the world champion Springboks in Johannesburg on 4 July really would allow him to live out his childhood dreams.

The Mental Approach

Pollock has been using visualisation techniques to make himself even more effective in the split-second moments that separate great players from the merely good. “I visualise moments in games: what I’m going to do next, whether I am going to go for a jackal or leave it or talk to the referee.

The Impact on Northampton Saints

The kinship within the current Saints’ squad is so strong, however, that stopping them will not be easy. “We are such good friends off the pitch,” stresses Pollock. With his pace, skills, and mental approach, he could be a key player for Saints and England.

The Future Outlook

Do the same against Exeter, who will also be looking to come hard at him, and Steve Borthwick will be left with vanishingly few reasons not to start him for England this summer. Whether he is roaming free, winning clearouts, catching lineouts or his energetic support running, the fresh prince of Franklin’s Gardens has the full range of tools. All he needs is slightly more top-end experience and, on occasions, a touch more maturity.