When I picked my British & Irish Lions squad to take on Australia last week, I left out Henry Pollock. I had picked my lineup before Northampton’s win over Leinster.
After Pollock’s stunning display in his club team’s famous Dublin victory, Andy Farrell had no choice other than to select the 20-year-old English tyro for this summer’s tour.
A Lions call caps a remarkable year for Pollock. I did think the tour might come too soon for him. But I changed my mind after watching him against Leinster.
Pollock was sensational in that game as part of a brilliant Northampton team performance. He fully deserves selection.
Pollock’s form demanded inclusion, but Farrell could also easily have left him out and gone for more experienced players like Jack Willis or Taulupe Faletau in the back row. It’s a credit to Farrell that he has been prepared to go with Pollock now. I’m delighted for the young Saint. But I don’t even think it’s a gamble at all.
When I coached the Lions in New Zealand in 2005, England had just won the World Cup and, on the whole, I knew the squad I wanted to select. There wasn’t really a ‘bolter’ who came from nowhere to earn a place.
When I picked my British & Irish Lions squad to take on Australia last week before Northampton played Leinster, I left out Henry Pollock
After Pollock’s stunning display in his club team’s famous Dublin victory, Andy Farrell had no choice other than to select the 20-year-old English tyro for this summer’s tour
I’m delighted for the young Saint. But I don’t even think it’s a gamble at all
But that’s what Pollock has done. It’s a big well done to him from me. Pollock is one 13 English players in the Lions squad with Maro Itoje as captain.
That’s fantastic for English rugby and reflects the improvement the national squad has made this year under Steve Borthwick.
Itoje fully deserves the captaincy. He has been outstanding for England as leader since taking over from Jamie George. In the Six Nations, he led with aplomb.
The captain’s role didn’t hinder his game at all. In fact, he seems to have got even better as the man in charge compared to being a member of the rank and file. Huge credit to him for that.
Itoje was my choice as captain even before injury cruelly struck down Ireland’s Caelan Doris. I wonder if Doris’ shoulder surgery impacted Farrell’s back-row selection. Regardless, Pollock had to be included.
It’s one thing for him to score two tries against Wales on his Test debut. But Pollock was on another level again against Leinster – a team which is essentially the Ireland side plus Jordie Barrett and RG Snyman. Willis will feel hard done by and rightly so.
So too will Owen Farrell, Courtney Lawes, George Ford and George – guys who have done so well for England for so long.
Sam Prendergast and Darcy Graham were also notable omissions. But I don’t think you can argue with Andy Farrell’s squad on the whole.
Maro Itoje was my choice as captain even before injury cruelly struck down Ireland’s Caelan Doris
Sam Prendergast was a notable omission – I thought he was nearly certain to tour
Toulouse star and former England flanker Jack Willis will feel hard done by and rightly so
Pollock adds another layer of intrigue to this tour of Australia. Not only is he clearly a phenomenal player, but he’s also great for rugby off the field. He will be great from the tour from a marketing perspective. But that shouldn’t detract from what he can produce between the white lines.
The Lions do need to be careful with how they manage him. To go from an academy player to senior international and Lion in one season is a remarkable story. Pollock needs good people around him to ensure his upward curve continues.
But at the same time, he’s also a player who just needs to be allowed to keep going as he is because right now, the sky is the limit for him. There is no reason why he can’t be a Test starter in Australia.
I’m so pleased he’s on the tour and the same applies to Fin Smith and Marcus Smith too. I’m a little surprised both are on the trip as No 10s alongside Finn Russell. I thought Prendergast was close to certain to tour.
Like his Saints team-mate Pollock, Fin Smith had to go. Marcus has had a tough couple of months and lost his England spot to his namesake. But the Lions and a fresh environment could be just what he needs. I just hope Andy Farrell considers him as a fly-half and not a full-back. It’s there he must play.
I don’t think at the start of the year you could have said there would be 13 English players on the Lions tour. It could have been more, too. I understand why some thought Owen Farrell and Lawes should have gone. But to beat Australia in what will be hard and fast conditions, the Lions need to play quicker than the Wallabies.
Owen Farrell and Lawes are better suited to a slower, more kick-heavy game and I think Andy Farrell understands that.
The selection of 15 Irishmen is right given their international successes. The same applies to Wales at the other end of the scale. Just two Welshman – Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams – make the trip.
Like his Saints team-mate Pollock, Fin Smith (left) had to go
I understand why some thought Owen Farrell should have gone. But to beat Australia in what will be hard and fast conditions, the Lions need to play quicker than the Wallabies
I just hope Andy Farrell considers Marcus Smith as a fly-half and not a full-back. It’s there he must play
It’s the lowest Welsh Lions representation in the post-war era but reflects their national team’s struggles and their current 17-Test losing run.
That said, Morgan and Williams are both entirely justified selections.
The eight chosen Scots are also deserving of their places. The likes of Sione Tuipulotu, Blair Kinghorn and Huw Jones are strong contenders for Test spots.
This is a very good Lions squad capable of playing with pace and panache. On paper, they really should win and win well in Australia.
But don’t bank on it. Leinster were strong favourites against Northampton and look what happened there.
Don’t underestimate the Wallabies. They will love being in the position of underdog as well as all the pressure being on the Lions.
And in Joe Schmidt, they have a seriously canny head coach who knows Andy Farrell and a lot of the Lions players well.
That’s why the Lions need to keep their opposition guessing. Pollock will be a big part of that. He brings so much pace to the game which is just what the Lions need.
Jac Morgan is one of just two Wales players selected but it is entirely justified on his part
On paper, this is a Lions squad that really should win and win well in Australia
Don’t underestimate the Wallabies. They will love being in the position of underdog as well as all the pressure being on the Lions
With Doris injured and Faletau not selected, it looks likely either Ben Earl or Jack Conan will be the Test No 8. But don’t rule out Pollock making a big back-row impression. He is the youngest Lions forward for 89 years which is an incredible statistic and one which fully reflects his emergence.
The Lions have picked many young players before. But, on the whole, they tend to be backs. The likes of Louis Rees-Zammit in 2021 and Leigh Halfpenny in 2009 spring to mind. But for Pollock to be selected up front aged just 20 is phenomenal really.
I’m sure the selection will be a day he will remember forever and it was brilliant to see the reaction of the Northampton players on social media. But Pollock’s work is not done yet.
Now, his challenge is to lead Northampton to the European Champions Cup title and then bid for a Lions Test spot. He is undoubtedly capable of doing both.
