As the youngest member of the touring party, Pollock has been tasked with looking after the Lions' mascot Western Force v British and Irish Lions Date:Saturday, 28 JuneVenue:Optus Stadium, PerthTime:11:00 BSTCoverage:Live text commentary on the BBC Sport website Henry Pollock must replicate the energy and abrasiveness that have fuelled his meteoric rise so far, says head coach Andy Farrell as the 20-year-old starts for the British and Irish Lions for the first time. Pollock will pack down at number eight as the Lions take on Western Force in their first tour game on Australian soil on Saturday. "You want people with confidence and belief because that helps when he takes the field," said head coach Andy Farrell. "You don't want a kid to go under the radar and in three weeks' time just settle into a side. You pick him for a reason. "He's a Lion just like the eldest player. There's no difference whatsoever. His character is infectious to everyone. He's a great lad." Pollock's try celebrations, most famously checking his pulse after streaking past Sam Prendergast in Northampton's Champions Cup semi-final upset of Leinster, have been part of his appeal, and Farrell has given him permission to continue with his celebration routines. "He's certainly not overawed. I mean, I love that. You want kids to be themselves and he's just being himself. He doesn't know any different," said Farrell. "He's hungry to learn and that's perfect because you can see that he's got a real point of difference. "He sees things quickly and acts upon that. His line running is pretty good. His awareness of space, how sharp he is in his mind and his athletic abilities are up there with the other lads in the squad. "He's hungry to make a difference the whole time. But he also understands what parts of his game he needs to improve. He's got a great attitude." Before the start of this season, Pollock's experience of senior top-flight rugby was limited to half an hour off the bench in a Premiership loss to Leicester. But his barnstorming performances for Northampton this season earned him the league's breakthrough of the season award, a nomination for the Champions Cup player of the year and elevation to the England senior squad, for whom he scored two tries on his debut against Wales in March. He would be the youngest Test Lion of the professional era if he appears in the series against Australia. Waugh captained the New South Wales Waratahs in a 41-24 defeat by the Lions, marked by several punch-ups, five yellow cards and a red, on the 2001 tour Elsewhere, Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said that they and the Lions had still not reached a solution on the tourists' demand for more Wallabies stars to be released to their Super Rugby sides. Lions chief Ben Calveleysaid that Australia would be in breach of the tour agreement if they held back their Test players from the pre-series fixtures,denying the tourists proper preparation and denting the commercial value of the build-up. Australia head coach Joe Schmidt ultimately allowed six of the nine Western Force players he picked for a warm-up match against Fiji to appear against the Lions this weekend. "It's still not resolved, but we need to work constructively to resolve it," Waugh told News Corp. newspapers. "We've got a very clear position on it and we're working with them to resolve it and so hopefully that'll be resolved imminently."
'Hungry, but humble' – Farrell backs Pollock to make impact
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"Henry Pollock Set for British and Irish Lions Debut Against Western Force"
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TruthLens AI Summary
Henry Pollock, at just 20 years old, is poised to make his debut for the British and Irish Lions as they face the Western Force in their first match in Australia. As the youngest member of the touring party, Pollock has been entrusted with the responsibility of managing the team's mascot while also stepping into a pivotal role on the field, playing at number eight. Head coach Andy Farrell expressed confidence in Pollock, emphasizing the importance of his energy and confidence as he enters this high-stakes match. Farrell underscored that Pollock's enthusiasm and infectious character set him apart, making him an integral part of the team. He praised Pollock's ability to remain unfazed by the pressure of the occasion, allowing him to express himself freely on the pitch, including his memorable goal celebrations that have become a hallmark of his style. Pollock's journey to this point has been remarkable, transitioning from limited experience in senior rugby to earning accolades such as the league's breakthrough player of the season and a spot on the England senior squad.
Pollock's rise through the ranks has been swift, particularly following his outstanding performances for Northampton, which led to him scoring two tries on his debut for England against Wales. Farrell highlighted Pollock's sharp thinking and athletic capabilities, noting that his awareness of space and effective line running make him a valuable asset to the Lions. While Pollock is eager to make a significant impact, he also recognizes areas in his game that require improvement, showcasing a mature attitude for someone so young. Meanwhile, off the field, discussions continue between Rugby Australia and the Lions regarding the availability of Australian Test players for the upcoming matches, with Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh emphasizing the need for a constructive resolution. The outcome of these negotiations could affect the commercial viability and preparation of the Lions as they gear up for the series against Australia, adding another layer of complexity to this highly anticipated tour.
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