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What Steve Borthwick has demanded of 'larger than life' Henry Pollock

By PA
Henry Pollock of England celebrates scoring his team's second try with teammate Luke Cowan-Dickie during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between England and Australia at Allianz Stadium on November 01, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Patrick Khachfe - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

Henry Pollock has been told by Steve Borthwick to express himself after England’s rising star was given his first Test start with the aim of bringing Allianz Stadium to its feet.

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Pollock has been promoted to number eight for Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Ireland after all seven of his previous appearances were made as an impact replacement.

The swaggering 21-year-old thrives on the big stage having blazed a trail into England’s senior team at the end of the 2025 Six Nations and then winning a place on the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.

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Now Borthwick wants him to ignite the revival after last Saturday’s 31-20 defeat by Scotland damaged England’s title aspirations.

“Henry’s full of energy, full of character and full of beans and he’s already achieved so much in a very short space of time,” the head coach said. “He’s larger than life and each new level you challenge him with, he seems to thrive.

“As a player, he gets people excited, he gets people jumping up and down with joy. He can bring a euphoria to people that not many players can.

“I will challenge him to express himself, be himself, while also bringing the self sacrifice that a team sport needs. Do both.

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“He does it wonderfully well and I am looking forward to seeing him do it from the start.”

Pollock’s promotion sees the back row reshaped with Ben Earl moving to openside flanker and Tom Curry coming in at blindside flanker. Sam Underhill and Guy Pepper drop to the bench to make room.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins
1
Draws
0
Wins
4
Average Points scored
18
30
First try wins
80%
Home team wins
80%

While the Northampton showman is a favourite among England fans, he is cast as a pantomime villain by opponents with French teams in particular looking to wind him up during European games.

Borthwick added: “He seems to thrive on that doesn’t he? It seems to just keep fuelling more of the energy that is within him. I find it incredible watching him – there are not many players like him. We want superstars in the game.”

Borthwick has also adjusted his midfield by pausing the experiment of picking Tommy Freeman at outside centre, instead reinstating him on the wing.

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Ollie Lawrence fills the number 13 jersey in his first appearance of the Six Nations and Henry Arundell continues on the left wing. Tom Roebuck makes way for Freeman on the right wing.

Arundell starts after avoiding a ban for the two yellow cards he received in the 31-20 mauling at Murrayfield that resulted in him being sent off.

Borthwick has made clear that by opting against further changes in response to England’s emphatic defeat in Edinburgh, he is giving those players who underperformed a second chance.

“I’m backing them to put in a performance that they’ll want to put in after last weekend,” he said. “If the game had gone the way we wanted, perhaps I would have changed them as well. I want players to feel backed.”

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Comments

14 Comments
J
Jacque 45 days ago

OVERRATED. Followed him when he came on Vs Scotland & did NOTHING substantial.

English media is actually making it worse.

E
Eric Elwood 46 days ago

I saw Pollock humiliating French players after scoring tries before I saw anyone “Wind him up”. Looks like the English media will do their thing as usual. Ireland need to just keep preparing and developing. A tight match is what Ireland need which will play on any insecurities England have from being rattled last week. Pressure is on them and Ireland are more than capable of piling that on. Pressure is off Ireland so hoping for an old style smash and grab job in London. A few beautiful backline plays finally against Italy which opening big holes but were not capitalized on. 1-2 of those turning into 7 pointers against England would be nice.

f
fl 45 days ago

how did he “humiliate” french players?

u
unknown 45 days ago

I can’t help thinking that Ireland will also have some nerves following a mixed Autumn series and an indifferent start to the Six Nations.

Would the Ireland of 2023 have considered an 8 point home win against Italy to be a positive?

Both sides are facing huge debates over their selections (particularly at fly half).

However, Ireland's struggles at set piece will also cause them concerns.

I think that England will use the pain of last year's disappointment as motivation.

Finally, I think that the ‘Twickenham-factor’ will play a significant part in the outcome.

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