England’s impressive win over Australia last week was bad news for Steve Borthwick’s detractors but also for those who argue Henry Pollock should focus on his rugby.
It was bad news for those who bizarrely seem to hate the fact that Pollock works with Eddie Hearn, for those who argue he does too much off the field. That he’s on the front covers of Tatler and Men’s Health.
Those outdated old fools who seemingly can’t grasp the bigger picture that by doing so, Pollock is not only broadening his own appeal, but that of the sport he plays, too – as long as he also does the business on the pitch.
Well, after appearing off the bench against the Wallabies for a second-half cameo in the unusual position of wing, Pollock – normally a back-row – certainly did that, scoring twice, playing beautifully and giving a metaphorical two fingers to the naysayers.
It was a performance which showcased his undoubted rugby ability and world-class athleticism. Now seemingly at the head of Test rugby’s ‘hybrid player’ phenomenon, Pollock’s versatility adds to his appeal, marketing ability and makes him a key figure in England rugby.
‘Henry is doing amazing things,’ England’s 2003 World Cup-winning livewire winger, Jason Robinson, tells Daily Mail Sport. ‘There are not many forwards, if any, who would be comfortable playing on the wing. Fair play to him.
‘If the shoe was on the other foot and I’d been asked to play in the back-row back in my day, I’m not sure I’d have been keen!’
England’s Henry Pollock celebrates his first try against Australia last weekend when the forward played as a winger – to great effect
Pollock touches down after a neat sidestep that befuddled Australia
In 2019, then England head coach Eddie Jones – who returns to Twickenham as the man in charge of Japan today – floated the idea his wing Jack Nowell could be deployed as a loose forward. Jones was broadly laughed at.
But seven years later, his idea has proved prophetic. In the international game, there are a number of players now comfortable playing as both forwards and backs.
South Africa’s Andre Esterhuizen (a centre who increasingly plays flanker) and Kwagga Smith and France’s Sekou Macalou (flankers who can cover wing) have done it, too, but it is Pollock – as he always seems to do – who is standing out in that way for England.
‘He’s got great ability, footwork, strength and speed,’ Robinson says of Pollock. ‘His second try against Australia showed the pace he’s got. He’s mobile. Henry knows how to play.
‘What I like about Henry is that I look at him and I see all the razzle-dazzle. The off-field stuff he’s been up to. I’ve got no problem with that. But if you do that, you have to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty (on the pitch).
‘That’s what you’re judged on in Test rugby. Those who know the game know you’re judged on getting your hands on the ball. Being prepared to be smashed. Putting your head where it hurts. Henry has got all the skills, but he does all that gritty stuff too.’
Pollock will win his 15th England cap against Japan, starting in a more customary position of No 8. In his 14 appearances to date, all but one of which have come as a replacement, he has scored eight tries.
In this year’s Nations Championship, he has scored five tries in just 111 minutes of action at an average of one every 22 minutes. He has the best try-scoring rate of any player. Only New Zealand superstar wing/full-back Will Jordan has more tries, with six.
Pollock will win his 15th England cap against Japan, starting in a more customary position of No 8
Pollock touches down for a second time against Australia. He has scored five Nations Championship tries in just 111 minutes of action
Against Australia, Pollock clocked a top speed of 20.4mph. In an era where the physical power and weight needed to play in the pack is significant, such speed is beyond rare. It’s what makes Pollock a unique property.
As Borthwick plans for next year’s World Cup – for which he can only name a squad of 33 – Pollock will already be inked in. His ability to cover multiple positions makes his selection a certainty, even if it might be the case that in England’s first-choice 23, he is better deployed as a replacement.
‘Henry has had an incredible impact off the bench,’ said England coach Borthwick ahead of the Japan match. ‘I want to ensure he’s bringing that to the start of the game.
‘He is talented, keeps it simple. And when he gets himself around the ball, moments happen. He has exceptional work-rate and that will put him in position for those carries and getting on the ball.’
Despite his shining contribution against Australia, Pollock will only act as emergency wing cover. He won’t start Tests there. But the fact he can even fill in, frankly, is more than impressive.
‘He’s an absolute joke,’ says Alex Coles, Pollock’s team-mate at both Northampton and England. ‘I was not surprised he did well on the wing. There’s been a bit of work done behind the scenes to get him ready for that scenario both at club and country.
‘He just relishes those challenges. He wants that moment. He wants to be trying something new. He’s athletically built to be able to do that. He’s so fast. It’s mega-impressive he can go do that.
‘It’s certainly going to add to his game, being able to play multiple positions. Good on him. I’m only jealous!’
The meeting with Japan is another chance for Pollock to prove his worth. He wasn’t tested defensively at all against Australia, who were poor. Jones, who is a big cricket fan, likened Pollock’s two tries against the Wallabies to ‘cheap runs’ – ones scored when the result has already been decided.
‘He’s an absolute joke,’ says Alex Coles, Pollock’s team-mate at both Northampton and England. ‘I was not surprised he did well on the wing’
‘He’s got some fantastic attributes and he’s a good player. But can he be a great in the game?’ asks Eddie Jones
‘He’s got a good manager (Hearn) who seems to have his head screwed on and is giving some good advice,’ Jones says of Pollock. ‘His big test will come when he has to start against South Africa or New Zealand. Then we’ll find out how good a player he can be.
‘He’s got some fantastic attributes and he’s a good player. But can he be a great in the game?’
So can Pollock deliver in big matches from the off, rather than in short bursts as a replacement? He is still a work in progress. But, then again, what 21-year-old isn’t?
‘I certainly didn’t play with anyone like him,’ says England assistant coach Kevin Sinfield. ‘In terms of media attention I have played with a guy like that before. Sam Tomkins got a lot in rugby league.
‘They are very different characters and personalities, but Sam had to deal with some intensity and a lot of noise around him. He handled it really well. Henry is a breath of fresh air around the group. He is different. If we were all the same, it would be boring. I really like him. He is keen to learn.
‘For all the bravado that comes with him, he is a lovely guy who wants to win, who wants to improve and he wants to be an England player. It is a different way of doing it and I have not seen it done before.
‘He was great at the weekend. To come off the bench and play on the wing for a large period of time, I thought he did very well.’
Pollock’s only previous England start was a disappointing defeat by Ireland when he and his team-mates struggled at the contact area. But he should have plenty of chances to wreak havoc against Japan, even if one of rugby’s greatest characters Jones is likely to have some tricks up his sleeve.
Pollock’s energy will be key to Borthwick’s men backing up the win over Australia. Changing two thirds of the team risks upsetting attacking cohesion. But Borthwick hopes the presence of back-line experience in George Ford, Henry Slade and Freddie Steward will allow Max Ojomoh and Will Joseph to excel at 12 and wing respectively.
‘For all the bravado that comes with him, he is a lovely guy who wants to win, who wants to improve and he wants to be an England player,’ says coach Kevin Sinfield of Pollock
‘Henry just needs to keep doing what he does well,’ Jason Robinson says. ‘I knew what I was strong at – and I did that. It was enough for me to go on and win a World Cup’
In the pack, even with a new front row, England should wield too much power for Japan. Their maul, buoyed by notable law changes, is set to be dominant. And that could help Pollock end with at least another try – perhaps this time as part of a pile of bodies from close range instead of galloping in from 20 metres-plus in the wide channels.
As a league convert, who was a union superstar in England’s most successful team, Robinson knows what it takes to be successful at the highest level and to be adaptable.
‘Henry just needs to keep doing what he does well,’ Robinson says. ‘Sometimes our sport tries to fit players into a mould of what they should be or do. When I switched from league to union, I was completely out of the mould. But I knew what I was strong at – and I did that. It was enough for me to go on and win a World Cup.
‘As an international rugby player, you’ve got to back yourself, play to your strengths, and enjoy yourself. Henry is smiling and he’s doing what’s being asked of him.
‘Where can the complaints be?’
