Henry Pollock made his England debut at No. 8 against Ireland, with Borthwick backing the 21-year-old to spark a struggling Six Nations campaign.

Borthwick's High Expectations

Pollock came into the team after England had already suffered losses to Scotland, Ireland, and Italy earlier in the tournament. Borthwick has positioned Pollock at No. 8, shifting Ben Earl to openside flanker and recalling Tom Curry at blindside flanker. This change sends Guy Pepper and Sam Underhill to the bench, signaling a desire for a more dynamic performance from the back row.

Borthwick made no secret of his confidence in Pollock. Borthwick has tipped Pollock to bring "euphoria" to the Twickenham crowd. He also noted that Pollock seems to thrive under pressure, even against potential wind-up tactics from opponents. "He seems to thrive on that, doesn't he?" Borthwick stated. "It seems to just keep fueling more of the energy that's within him. I find it incredible watching him – there aren't many players like him. We want superstars in the game."

Borthwick wants Pollock to have a big impact with the ball. "I want Henry to get the ball in his hands. I want him to find the ball as often as possible," he explained, referencing Ben Earl's more than 20 carries in the previous match. England's strategy relies on speed and athleticism in its back row and outside backs, rather than a physically imposing pack.

A Distinctive Character

Pollock's vibrant personality isn't new to the rugby scene. His excitable nature and penchant for flamboyant try celebrations have often made him a target for opponents. After a Champions Cup final against Bordeaux, Pollock clashed with French prop Jefferson Poirot, and Bordeaux players mocked him on social media afterward.

When the two teams met again, Pollock faced targeted treatment but still managed to score a remarkable try by snatching the ball from Damian Penaud's hands.

Mastheads

Borthwick recounted his first meeting with Pollock, then an 18-year-old. "Normally, when an 18-year-old meets the England head coach for the first time... They are reasonably shy and reserved... He was the complete opposite," Borthwick told BBC Rugby Union Weekly. "He bounded up to me and introduced himself, and I think his words were 'how are you, mate?' I thought 'this guy is wonderfully different, he is an incredible character, full of confidence'."

Even earlier, Pollock's personality made headlines with a "colorful post-match interview" after England Under-18s lost to South Africa in 2022, where his candid language drew attention. This intrinsic drive and willingness to express himself are qualities Borthwick admires. "I don't think he needs any motivation from anything external, which I love – he is so intrinsically driven, he is that character. What you see is exactly what you get," Borthwick added.

Meteoric Ascent to the Top

Pollock's rise to his England debut was remarkably quick. He was first noticed as a "blond-haired schoolboy flanker sprinting from his own 22 to score a solo try" for Northampton Saints Under-18s. After an extraordinary breakthrough season, he toured with the British & Irish Lions to Australia, playing alongside some of the Irish players he'd now face.

His rapid rise meant headlines about his debut overshadowed Maro Itoje's 100th cap for England. Pollock thrives at every level he's tested at, and Borthwick was counting on that to strengthen England.

Six Nations Campaign Struggles

England's Six Nations campaign proved disastrous, with losses to Scotland, Ireland, and Italy eliminating title hopes before the final match. England lost to Scotland, Ireland, and Italy in listless performances before facing France. France beat England 48-46 in Paris when Thomas Ramos kicked a long-range penalty in the final seconds to win the title.

Freeman scored in the 77th minute and looked to have won it for England, but Ramos had the last word. England played well but lost, extending their losing run to four straight defeats. England finished fifth with just one win from five matches—their worst Six Nations ever, matching 2018 and 2021.

The France performance gave Borthwick ammunition in talks with RFU bosses about his future. Borthwick's future will likely hinge on the team's performance in upcoming summer fixtures, which begin against world champions South Africa on July 4, followed by games against Fiji and Argentina.

Related Articles

Summer fixtures against South Africa, Fiji, and Argentina will determine whether Borthwick survives.

This article was created with AI assistance.