British and Irish Lions: Andy Farrell backs ‘hungry’ Henry Pollock to be ‘real point of difference’
Henry Pollock (front centre) with an inset of Andy Farrell (bottom left)
British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell has backed Henry Pollock to shine in his first start for the famous touring side, describing him as having ‘a real point of difference’.
The Northampton Saints and England back-rower is the youngest player on the tour and came into it with the least Test experience out of the group, too, after winning just one senior cap prior to his selection in the initial 38-man squad.
That debut could not have gone any better, though, as he scored two tries in England’s 68-14 demolition of Wales at the Principality.
But, he impressed off the bench in last weekend’s 28-24 defeat to Argentina, and has since been handed a start in their upcoming clash against the Western Force
Andy Farrell lauds Henry Pollock ahead of British and Irish Lions start
Speaking ahead of the game in Perth, boss Farrell was full of praise for his young gun: “He’s hungry to learn and that’s perfect because you can see that he’s got a real point of difference.
“He sees things quickly and acts upon that. His line running is pretty good. His awareness of space, how sharp he is in his mind and his athletic abilities are up there with the other lads in the squad.
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“He’s hungry to make a difference the whole time. But he also understands what parts of his game he needs to improve. He’s got a great attitude.”
Pollock is quickly becoming one of the biggest names in the rugby world, given both his meteoric rise from U20s level to British and Irish Lions tourist in the space of four months and also for his elaborate celebrations, but Farrell believes the 20-year-old is only embracing this moment.
“He’s certainly not overawed. I mean, I love that,” he said. “You want kids to be themselves and he’s just being himself. He doesn’t know any different.
“But he’s a humble kid as well. He doesn’t think he’s got it all, far from it. You want people with confidence and belief because that helps when he takes the field.
“You don’t want a kid to go under the radar and in three weeks’ time just settle into a side. You pick him for a reason.
“He’s a Lion just like the eldest player. There’s no difference whatsoever. His character is infectious to everyone. He’s a great lad.”
Pollock is one of 13 personnel changes to this Lions starting line-up to take on the Western Force, and forms a formidable back-row with Tadhg Beirne – who moves from lock to six – and Josh van der Flier.
