Pollock's mad year fuels England ambitions and TikTok fame, rugby's rising star says

Henry Pollock says 2025 has been mad for a player who burst onto the scene this year, earning England caps and becoming a Northampton Saints standout. The 20-year-old says the year brought rapid rises and big expectations, but his focus remains clear: help Saints reclaim momentum in the Premiership and prove the Champions Cup run was not a one-off. Pollock told reporters at Franklin’s Gardens that last year’s breakout had to be backed up with consistency, and that the two clear targets for his club are advancing in Europe and climbing back toward the top of domestic competition.

Pollock has become instantly recognizable for his peroxide blonde hair and his growing profile off the field. He hinted that a new colour could appear in 2026, joking that fans will have to wait and see while teasing a longer, bolder look. The player also discussed his admiration for Emma Raducanu and his plan to follow tennis more closely after meeting the British star. He added that a dance he and England teammates posted on TikTok has drawn nearly 20 million views, underscoring how his generation blends sport with multimedia visibility. Pollock also touched on his off-field musical interest, saying he’s started playing guitar and learning Canter by Gerry Cinnamon, a hobby that helps him unwind away from the intensity of matches.

Pollock has never shied away from a provocative on-field persona. He is known for eye-catching moments such as lip-licking during the haka before England’s autumn win over New Zealand and a pulse-check celebration after scoring a try to help knock Leinster out of the Champions Cup. He says he enjoys the aggressive side of the game, believing that confrontation can lift the tempo and engage fans. He acknowledges the online reaction to his posts, saying he would boo himself too after a recent Instagram update documenting Northampton’s opening block in the Champions Cup. He notes that online commentary is not central to his world; what matters most is the circle of friends, teammates and coaches who know who he is and what he stands for.

Pollock’s social-media presence has complemented his rise on the pitch. He has embraced the wider responsibilities that come with being a young star, including endorsements and public appearances with sponsors such as Nike. He said that building his profile is a deliberate choice, but the main focus remains consistent: perform for Saints and help the England team grow. In a light moment during the interview, Pollock sketched out an ultimate XV from current players for a quick-fire video, listing a pack built around a frontier of world-class competition and backs that mix creative playmaking with pace and power.

Even with the hype, Pollock’s core is clear: he is a bench asset for England in the short term, with five caps all coming off the bench as part of Steve Borthwick’s plan to use a 6-2 split. He described the bench as a crucial arena for impact, not a sidelined reserve, and spoke about how the coaching staff emphasizes preparation and the readiness to change games from the last 20 minutes onward. The so-called Pom Squad has given him a role that he values deeply, and he credits Tom Curry with providing guidance and leadership when he is called into action from the bench. The lessons, he says, translate into a modern game where the bench is a decisive factor.

Asked about potential positions in the backline, Pollock indicated that starting in the backs would be a remarkable step but that competition for places is fierce. He noted that if a 6-2 bench allows him to cover wing or center, it would only benefit the team while expanding his own versatility. The discussion also touched on England’s place in world rugby; Pollock acknowledged that the Springboks remain the standard, sitting atop the world rankings, and that England is chasing that benchmark with a young squad that believes it can grow into a serious challenger in the coming years.

Pollock played a pivotal role in England’s autumn success, including a memorable try-scoring effort against Australia off the bench. He framed his contribution within the broader ambition of the team and the momentum built by a generation of Saints players looking to translate club success into international impact. He stressed that while the headlines can be loud, the day-to-day work remains rooted at Franklin’s Gardens and in the England team rooms, where coaches push a shared vision of progress and consistency.

The Northampton-based star also touched on his personal life off the field. He revealed living with academy graduate Toby Thame and enjoying downtime with darts and music. The guitar has become a hobby and a way to decompress after demanding training blocks, while the darts nights have helped him bond with teammates. In a bid to balance modern sport and personal growth, Pollock continues to chase excellence at Saints while exploring opportunities to contribute on the international stage as England looks toward 2026 and beyond. As he prepared to head to London for the festive lights, Pollock kept his trademark composure, ready to navigate the next phase of a career that has already captured rugby’s imagination.