An England rugby star was labelled “the Jesus of English rugby” by French media earlier than the Six Nations.
An England star was mentioned by French media earlier than the Six Nations (Picture: Patrick Khachfe – RFU, The RFU Assortment through Getty Photographs) This text comprises affiliate hyperlinks, we are going to obtain a fee on any gross sales we generate from it. Study extra
England star Henry Pollock has quickly emerged as a divisive determine with opposition supporters throughout his younger profession. The 21-year-old flanker was topped Premiership Breakthrough Participant of the Season in August following his breakthrough marketing campaign with Northampton.
In March 2025, Pollock scored two tries in opposition to Wales on his worldwide debut, changing into England’s youngest-ever Six Nations attempt scorer. The Saints star’s meteoric rise continued as he helped information his facet to the Champions Cup remaining in Might. Throughout the semi-final conflict with Leinster, Pollock taunted the group following his first-half attempt on the Aviva Stadium earlier than celebrating Northampton’s 37-34 triumph by mimicking UFC fighter Conor McGregor’s iconic strut. The victory secured a remaining showdown with Bordeaux Begles, which the French outfit gained 28-20. Nonetheless, in a dialogue earlier than the match, a L’Equipe journalist defined how Pollock had polarised opinions whereas being considered one of English rugby’s brightest skills.
“The facility of the photographs and what he exudes is stronger than phrases,” Guillaume Dufy stated on L’Equipe’s Crunch podcast in Might. “On the pitch, he is all you see; he radiates unimaginable power and depth.
“He can do the whole lot with a ball. He may even kick. He has a really English facet, very conceited, very insufferable, which we like to hate.”
He added: “Aside from his little bit of a show-off facet when he scores, the place you generally need to slap him, he is unstoppable. He is the Jesus of English rugby…In England, he is their Dupont, their Mbappé, you identify it. He is all anybody talks about.”
After the Champions Cup remaining loss, Pollock tried to intervene between Fraser Dingwall and Bordeaux’s Matthieu Jalibert however discovered himself embroiled in one other confrontation. Prop Jefferson Poirot grabbed Pollock’s throat and subsequently acquired a two-week ban whereas the England flanker was cleared of any misconduct.
Pollock scored two tries on his England debut final March (Picture: Dan Mullan – RFU/The RFU Assortment through Getty Photographs)
He has evidently already established himself as a pantomime villain inside French rugby circles. Pollock will probably be hoping to harness that to his and England’s profit when the 2 nations conflict on the Stade de France on the finish of the Six Nations on March 14.
When requested about crowd reactions, Pollock advised BBC Sport: “Followers can do what they need, in the event that they need to boo me, then boo me, in the event that they need to cheer for me, then cheer for me. It would not actually have an effect on me.
“I am fairly content material with myself. My complete philosophy is that I solely care what buddies, household, coaches and crew mates consider me – anybody exterior of that circle can have their opinions.”
Pollock has spoken about his relationship with opposition followers (Picture: Rob Newell – CameraSport through Getty Photographs) Keep up-to-date with the newest rugby information Be part of us on WhatsApp
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Having been a late addition to final 12 months’s Six Nations squad, Pollock is now a extra established determine. Following his England debut within the event’s remaining fixture, he’s decided to make a better impression this time spherical.
“I am excited to have a full event underneath my belt,” he advised BBC Sport. “If I advised my 10-year-old self that I am about to enter a Six Nations, he would have bit your hand off.
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“It is a dream come true to play on your nation however to have the ability to do it in a Six Nations goes to be particular. I am making an attempt to get pleasure from each second and take all of it in.”
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