Henry Pollock admits he has dared to dream of being named in the British and Irish Lions squad when it is announced on Thursday.
The 20-year-old Northampton Saints flanker has remarkably forced himself into contention with a string of irresistible performances since he made his senior international debut for England off the bench in the victory over Wales in the final Six Nations match in March.
In a stunning final audition, Pollock was at the heart of Saints’ against-the-odds victory over Leinster in the Investec Champions Cup semi-final at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday, including scoring a solo try from the halfway line. He made 22 tackles and caused havoc at the breakdown against the highly vaunted Leinster back row, including Ireland captain Caelan Doris, the front-runner for the Lions captaincy.
Given that he started this season playing for England Under-20s and only has a cameo on the senior international stage, albeit during which he scored two tries, he may not have the body of work at the highest level to earn a Lions selection. But if nothing else, he has forced himself into contention as a bolter.
“I have thought about it but at the end of the day you can’t control it – it is subjective,” said Pollock when asked about the Lions selection. “It would be an honour to go on that plane and represent the Lions but if it is not this year then I am sure I will be able to pick myself up and bounce back.
“I thought I did all right, but it is not up to me. It is up to the Lions coaches, and I will be waiting the same as you. We have got a kit thing so I will be with the [Northampton] boys. We’ll probably get a camera set up or something.”
Pollock added: “It was mad, a crazy game to play in, [Leinster] are one of the best club sides in the world and they have got the best players in the world, so we just talked in the week about enjoyment and belief in our own group. We put on a show, and we are happy with that.
“These are the games you want to play in, these are the games that as a little kid you look at and watch. [Josh] Van der Flier and [Caelan] Doris are the best back-rowers in the world at the minute and I was just excited and could not wait to get out there. I was buzzing in the changing rooms beforehand, buzzing all week. It is an honour to be able to share a pitch with them.”
Henry Pollock admits he has dared to dream of being named in the British and Irish Lions squad when it is announced on Thursday.
The 20-year-old Northampton Saints flanker has remarkably forced himself into contention with a string of irresistible performances since he made his senior international debut for England off the bench in the victory over Wales in the final Six Nations match in March.
In a stunning final audition, Pollock was at the heart of Saints’ against-the-odds victory over Leinster in the Investec Champions Cup semi-final at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday, including scoring a solo try from the halfway line. He made 22 tackles and caused havoc at the breakdown against the highly vaunted Leinster back row, including Ireland captain Caelan Doris, the front-runner for the Lions captaincy.
Given that he started this season playing for England Under-20s and only has a cameo on the senior international stage, albeit during which he scored two tries, he may not have the body of work at the highest level to earn a Lions selection. But if nothing else, he has forced himself into contention as a bolter.
“I have thought about it but at the end of the day you can’t control it – it is subjective,” said Pollock when asked about the Lions selection. “It would be an honour to go on that plane and represent the Lions but if it is not this year then I am sure I will be able to pick myself up and bounce back.
“I thought I did all right, but it is not up to me. It is up to the Lions coaches, and I will be waiting the same as you. We have got a kit thing so I will be with the [Northampton] boys. We’ll probably get a camera set up or something.”
Pollock added: “It was mad, a crazy game to play in, [Leinster] are one of the best club sides in the world and they have got the best players in the world, so we just talked in the week about enjoyment and belief in our own group. We put on a show, and we are happy with that.
“These are the games you want to play in, these are the games that as a little kid you look at and watch. [Josh] Van der Flier and [Caelan] Doris are the best back-rowers in the world at the minute and I was just excited and could not wait to get out there. I was buzzing in the changing rooms beforehand, buzzing all week. It is an honour to be able to share a pitch with them.”
