'I'm not really too sure why the surprise' over Henry Pollock

Mark Mapletoft has backed his selection of Henry Pollock to start for the England U20s this Thursday in Ireland after his short involvement with Steve Borthwick’s Test squad.

The World Rugby U20 Championship title winner has enjoyed a super-charged 2024/25 season, becoming a regular Northampton pick (eight starts in 14 appearances) and starring for England A in November’s runaway win over Australia A in London.

It was January 21, seven days after his 20th birthday, when the back-rower was one of five additional players called up by Borthwick for his squad’s Guinness Six Nations preparations in Girona, but Pollock has now re-routed and his destination in Ireland will be Cork this Thursday for the U20s fixture and not Dublin for Saturday’s Test match.

Maro Itoje speaks at the Men’s Six Nations launch in Rome

England captain Maro Itoje spoke to the media at the official Guinness Men’s Six Nations launch event in Rome and at the Colosseum.

Maro Itoje speaks at the Men’s Six Nations launch in Rome

England captain Maro Itoje spoke to the media at the official Guinness Men’s Six Nations launch event in Rome and at the Colosseum.

Asked if it was a surprise that he was able to select Pollock for the age-grade campaign opener at Virgin Media Park, Mapletoft said: “Henry is technically an U20 player and probably one of the better back-rowers at his age group in the county, so I am not really too sure why the surprise.

“Would you be more surprised if he wasn’t selected? There must be some very good players out there if he is not picked.”

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Mapletoft was hugely pleased that Pollock had his senior squad taster under Borthwick in Spain that past week after being heavily involved with Phil Dowson’s Northampton this winter, even though its consequence was to massively limit his involvement with the England U20s.

“It has been a challenge but a player’s priority is when they are playing at first-team level and getting training opportunities with the seniors,” reasoned the head coach about his up-and-coming player who was pivotal to England’s Six Nations/World Championship U20s double title success in 2024.

“It is difficult to balance that out but look, Henry has been in and around this group now for a long time. Tom (Burrow, the captain) and Henry toured South Africa together in summer 2022. A lot of these players know each other through the pathway.

“Henry has been part of our 20s group for the last 12 months plus and he just fits in. We back him, great guy, great energy, and his performances this season for Saints have been excellent.”

About Pollock’s England Test squad call, Mapletoft added: “Brilliant for our young lads to get those training opportunities. That’s part of an integrated pathway. The pathway doesn’t have a start or an end point, it’s a continuous period in a person’s development and Steve made that decision to give him those training opportunities.

“It’s brilliant but look, if he is not playing for the England senior team this week he is technically still U20 and is available.”