Why 19st bruiser Reuben Logan is so 'different' to Henry Pollock

If Sale Sharks’ Reuben Logan is to emulate the meteoric rise of Henry Pollock from teenage unknown to international superstar, he’ll have to do the hard yards in Champ Rugby first.

Logan and Pollock have a lot in common. At 20 years old, Logan is the same age as Pollock, a fellow back row player, and the pair shared a dressing room at Northampton until the end of last season.

Both have played international U20s rugby and share Anglo-Scots heritage – Logan through his father Kenny, the ex-Scotland winger, while Pollock’s parents were born north of the border.

However, that is where the similarities end. Pollock went down the England route, one that Logan chose initially, but now proudly wears a thistle on his chest.

But it’s the type of player they are that differentiates them, according to Sharks boss Alex Sanderson, who signed Logan on a two-year deal back in April.

Logan, whose Mum is TV presenter Gabby Logan, is 20kgs heavier for a start at 120kgs.

“He’s a different type of player to Henry. He’s a big lummox; he is huge, quick and fast; he is Ernst van Rhyn big, he is 115kgs, 120kgs, and he can shift. There is a lot of raw talent there,” Sanderson said.

“That’s not a Pollock style of player. Pollock is great in the loose and can create something out of nothing with his footwork and agility, as well as his pace. This guy is going to be able to dent holes and is more akin to a heavy-hitting, ball-carrying Afrikaaner-type, but he is English, Scottish-English. I can see him coming through definitely, that’s why we have recruited him for down the line.”

Reuben was left out of the Sharks’ first matchday 23 of the season – the Premiership Rugby Cup clash against Bristol this weekend.

And Sanderson admits that it will probably be a while before he sees first-team duty. Pollock had a brief foray in the Champ, on loan to Bedford, but this feels more long-term.

“It is his understanding and our understanding that he needs to play some games, and that is probably going to be in the Champ this season. And if he comes through well in that, then there will be every chance of Prem Cup games and featuring in the first team.”

Fans of Caldy, Coventry or Doncaster might get to see the dynamic No.8 run out for them this season, Sanderson revealed.

“We have got good relationships with all these teams, they have all come down over the pre-season, whether it is to train against us or foster relationships so players can go there.”