Visualisation and hunger to achieve: Henry Pollock reveals substance beneath the style

Back-row’s colossal performance in Prem semi-final proves he is ready to come of age for Northampton against Exeter

As Henry Pollock idly plays with the straggly end of his blond rat’s tail on a sunny day in Northampton he looks wholly at ease. There are more microphones in front of him than anyone else but that’s fine. Exeter are preparing to hit him with everything they can muster but that’s fine, too. If you’re aspiring to stand out from the crowd it’s all part of the deal.

Because a high-profile Prem final is exactly where he wants to be. Particularly as he missed the last one. When Saints lifted the trophy in 2024 he was away in Georgia with England Under-20s, jumping up and down in a hotel room in Tbilisi. “I was a bit annoyed I missed that experience but the boys have been telling me how amazing the whole week was. I am just trying to live every moment of it.”