A few months back, Henry Pollock made quite an impression when he recorded his first premiership try. I found myself excited about the season ahead and reached out to Phil Dowson, someone Pollock has known since he was 19, to discuss his potential. I mused whether I was being a bit too self-absorbed in my admiration. Pollock is a dedicated player, and now, reflecting on that conversation, I see him taking on a captaincy role for the Lions in England and Ireland.
Now, two months later, I still think that’s possible. It’s not that I’ve been swept away by excitement; rather, I do believe Pollock has the ability to break into the Lions test team. If given the chance, he might really thrive.
The longer the tour stretches on, the tougher it gets for teams during mid-week matches. Playing on Wednesdays instead of Saturdays can feel off, and no one really wants to play, especially between the first and second Tests. But Pollock? He’ll jump at every opportunity to play.
Just look at his energy. Andy Farrell encourages him to channel that passion every single minute. I tell Pollock that while there are other players who might be better suited for leadership roles, there’s something incredibly promising about him. He could become an exciting player for Australia. My only slight worry is that with all that responsibility, he might not shine as brightly—but if he manages to balance it, he’s definitely my top pick.
When we consider Pollock’s gameplay, it’s clear he’s in a fiercely competitive back row. But comparing him to others like Josh van der Flier or Ben Earl doesn’t quite capture his uniqueness. He plays the flanker role differently. Sure, he does all the foundational things well, but he also has this flair that sets him apart. His ability to drive the play forward is hard for Farrell to overlook. It’s no surprise he’s on the selection list.
Last summer, he was a key part of the under-20 team that won the Junior World Cup, and most recently, he’s played for the Six Nations under-20s. It’s quite astonishing how fast he’s risen to be nearly expected to join the Lions. Rugby really needs players like him.
When his name was announced, people from England, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland were captivated. Farrell’s face lit up with joy at the energy Pollock brings.
Pollock is part of a new generation of Lions. These cycles come and go. I remember being on a tour in 2009 with a group of legendary players nearing the end of their prime. Four years later, a new era kicked off in Australia with players like Sam Warburton stepping up. By the end of that tour, legends like Brian O’Driscoll were again proving their worth on the test side.
Fast forward another four years, players like Jonathan Davies and Johnny Sexton solidified their spots during the second tour, while many from that same era recently faced off in South Africa. Strikingly, none of the players from 2013 are around this time, emphasizing a real shift between now and then.
For many, this tour might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so it’s vital to grasp how unique it is. My advice to every selected player? Always remember that being a Lion is incredibly special. It’s the best team to be part of and wearing that jersey is an honor.
The schedule can be overwhelming. You find yourself hopping from city to city, training, matching, and playing mid-week games. There’s a real risk of everything just blurring together. Yet, when that final whistle blows at the last test, it’s all over. My advice? Be intentional about the moments you want to cherish.
