Henry Pollock targets by becoming the winner of the Champions Cup with Northampton Saints, then test the British and Irish lion | Rugby Union News

Henry Pollock speaks Sky Sports Before the final of the Champions Cup on Saturday in Cardiff, revealing that his eyes are fixed to become European champion, then to test the British and Irish lion.

Still aged 20, the impetuous but supremely talented rear line had a remarkable breakup season.

He became a regular starter for Northampton in October, was still playing for the U20 in England during the Six Nations and made his debut in Senior England on the Banc against Wales in March – his only ceiling to date.

And yet, does a player lack if experience has ever been safer with regard to the call of the British and Irish lions? On Saturday May 3, Pollard faced three of the best rows in the world in Dublin in Josh Van Der Flier, Jack Conan and Caelan Doris while Northampton played Leinster in the semi-finals of the Champions Cup. He finished the competition as the best striker in the park.

Northampton’s next stage for a superb European Cup title is Bordeaux-Begles de France at the Stade de la Principality.

“The team feels really good. There is a good buzz around the team and it is not every week that you have an upcoming European final,” explains Pollock Sky Sports.

“We are buzzing and everything is good. We are looking forward to.

“It’s just crazy, a whirlwind, I guess.

“Then, I just passed through there, I played good minutes of first, then I was called for the senior team of England where I was lucky to obtain an opportunity against Wales. My mother and father were there, my brothers in the crowd, and it was a moment that I will never forget to run there.

“The race in Europe was special, and this victory against Leinster was the icing in mind. That day, I will never forget it. We went there entirely under the outsiders, everyone brought us back. To get the victory in their backyard, then get the Lions Call Up-Up that week after was a dream come true.

“I talked about it in the group with the team, the belief we have in our team. I didn’t really think I was tested.

“I suppose that we are more used to the feeling of being injured and of disappointment. I did not think they felt it. We all talked about we are tighter than them.

“Our captain [Fraser Dingwall]He’s a great character, and he spoke so well during the week. He said, “They have an excellent plan, so do we.” We just supported ourselves and no one else did. The rest is history. “”

Northampton is looking for a second champions Cup crown on Saturday, and a first since 2000, when they triumph over Munster in Twickenham.

“We have a 100% belief in ourselves and a belief that the talent we have is good enough. I hope it will be enough,” says Pollock.

“This year, we have just talked about the link we have in the team. Our team is so young and we are all so good friends out of the field.

“I think it’s really important, creating this connection. We have big leaders in the team, we have great players and simply great people to follow.

“The leaders we have in the team, you want to play for them, you want to put your body at stake for them, and at the end of the day, that’s what it comes from: who is ready to push themselves more than the other team.”

“The Lions call was surreal – now I aim for the first test test”

With Northampton out of the image of Première’s qualifiers, once the Champions Cup final on Saturday is away, Pollock’s attention will start to go to the lions of this summer in Australia, live Sky Sports.

Not content with adjusting it the “bolter” of the archetypal lions, the youngest member of the Andy Farrell tour team has their eyes on the start of a test against the Wallabies.

“I definitely try to prove me for this first test place,” explains Pollock.

“People say that the most difficult is to get on the plane, and once you are on the plane, it only goes for this first test.

“It was a surreal moment. As a child, you dream of your reading name, and it’s a pleasure to have had all my best friends around me too. It was classy, ​​very fun.

“We brick it all in advance, and when your name is read, your heart is just and the next thing, you know, you have three or four of your friends on you.

“It was such a pleasure to share this moment with them, and to be with the other boys who were also selected.

“I certainly didn’t expect it. I think you are somehow preparing for the worst and more and more of that is a bonus.

“I hoped. After the race, we had in Europe and personal performances in the team because I did it rather well, at the back of my head, I hoped, but you will never really want to think that you are at all when you do it.”

“ The first time I met Andy Farrell, I was on a scene singing Billie Jean ”

Asked when he met the Lions Farrell head coach for the first time, Pollock replied that he came in March after his test in the test in Cardiff and was a meeting that finally saw Farrell testify to an interpretation of the young flank of a classic of Michael Jackson.

“After my beginnings in Wales, we had an post-match function. [Farrell] came to watch the England-Wales match in the Six Nations, then I remember that it was me, Maro [Itoje] and Steve [Borthwick] which has mounted for this function.

“I saw him, I told him a little, then I had to sing my song in front of all this group of people. I sang Billie Jean, just something to advance the crowd, I suppose, in front of him and about 50 people or more.

“We were with the Lions last week, I had a good conversation with him to catch up.

“Meet the coaches and players for the first time in this environment was really cool. Everyone was so excited to start, waiting for what awaits us. There was a bit of a strange buzz, like your first day at school.

“There is so much talent in the team, and they are world class players. It will be great to play with them and choose their brain a little. Especially the rear row, the best row of the northern hemisphere. It will be really cool to learn and talk about the way they see the game differently.”

Sky Sports will exclusively show the tour of the British and Irish lions in 2025 in Australia, with the three tests against the Wallabies and six warm -up matches to show exclusively live.