England hooker Jamie George has described team-mate Henry Pollock as a rugby personality unlike any other, calling the 20-year-old back rower “genuinely fascinating” and “our brilliant idiot.” Pollock’s rise from Northampton bench player to international sensation has captured the imagination of fans, players, and coaches alike.

Pollock’s Breakthrough Season

Pollock enjoyed a meteoric breakthrough last season. Starting on the bench for Northampton Saints, he went on to score two tries on his England debut, feature in the Champions Cup final, and earn selection for the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia.

His on-field energy, exuberant try celebrations, and fearless confidence have made him a viral sensation. Highlights include his face-down lip-lick of the All Blacks’ haka and his role in a celebratory TikTok dance last month, showcasing a player unafraid to express himself.

Banter With Lions Coaching Staff

Pollock’s mischievous side also extended off the field. Northampton team-mate Fin Smith revealed that Pollock sent images of Johnny Sexton crying after Ireland’s 2023 Rugby World Cup exit as part of a running joke during the Lions tour.

“Pollock and I had the funniest relationship with [Sexton] ever. We just took the mick out of him the whole time,” Smith told the Saints Show.
“Johnny was great and enjoyed having a bit of banter with us too.”

Jamie George on Pollock’s Unique Personality

George told Rugby Union Weekly that Pollock’s confidence and energy set him apart from any player he has met:

“Henry is different – I have never met anyone like him. He is himself, unapologetically himself, and he is genuinely fascinating. He is an energy ball I have never seen before. He has an insane level of confidence. He walks into the room and tries to dominate everything and the kid is 19. It is mad. But he is genuinely brilliant. He is an idiot, but he is our idiot.”

George noted that Pollock’s freedom to express his personality is a reflection of Steve Borthwick’s England coaching environment, which encourages players to be themselves while maintaining team discipline.

“Something I am very big on is enjoying your time in camp and feeling like you could be yourself… We encourage Henry to be who he wants to be, and that is a hilarious bloke who we laugh at a lot,” George said.

England’s Positive Dressing Room Culture

George believes England’s open and supportive environment mirrors the culture at Saracens during their peak years, where camaraderie and enjoyment off the field translated to performance on it.

“Now, with England, it is about spending time with each other and enjoying each other’s company and pushing really hard on the field. When we were Saracens at our best, that was what we got right. And it has a similar feel in that respect,” he said.

With England’s current leadership, including captains Maro Itoje, George himself, Owen Farrell, head coach Borthwick, assistant Richard Wigglesworth, and head of performance Phil Morrow—all having Saracens connections—the emphasis on culture and enjoyment is clear.

Pollock’s Rising Star

Pollock’s impressive performances have not gone unnoticed. In just 180 minutes of Test rugby, he has scored three tries and was shortlisted for World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year. With his combination of talent, energy, and personality, Pollock is poised to become one of England’s standout stars in the years to come.