Coach of the Lions expresses support for the young talent, affirming his ability to handle the tour stress.
Go Wild, Henry Pollock Unleashes Excitement Against Western Force!
Andy Farrell, the Lions' boss, has given young gun Henry Pollock the green light to unleash his magic on the Western Force in their Australian tour opener at Perth's Optus Stadium this Saturday.
Pollock, the 20-year-old sensation, has been turning heads with his eye-catching try celebrations, earning himself a well-deserved call-up to the Lions for their summer tour down under. From basketball dunks to checking his pulse, Pollock's flair on the field has certainly caught the attention of many.
This isn't the first time Pollock's pulse-check celebration has created a stir. In the Investec Champions Cup final, Bordeaux players mocked the peculiar celebration, even posing for photos with the trophy while targeting the young star. The incident led to prop Jefferson Poirot being banned for two weeks for grabbing Pollock's throat after the final whistle[3].
MORE ON BRITISH & IRISH LIONS
### The Secret Life of a Rugby Jersey Designer - Now a Lion Tour Player### One Tour, Two Careers - The Shocking Story of a Former Lion
Pollock will debut as a starter in the key no.8 role against the Force. Farrell wants him to bring his unique talents and ever-changing haircuts to the field, stating, "[He's got full license to celebrate]... The same with the haircuts as well." The coach praises Pollock's hunger to learn and improve, recognizing his potential to make a real impact[1].
Most read in Rugby Union
### Lions vs Western Force LIVE commentary: UK time, team news, and how to follow### The Bizarre Lions Team-Building Class That Left the Players Fuming### The Secret Life of a Rugby Jersey Designer - Now a Lion Tour Player### One Tour, Two Careers - The Shocking Story of a Former Lion
Pollock, the youngest player on the tour, has also been assigned the duty of taking care of the team's Lion mascot, BIL. Although he has attracted much attention, including from Perth's local press, Farrell remains confident in Pollock's ability to handle the pressure.[2]
"He's certainly not overawed," Farrell stated, "You want kids to be themselves, you don't want a kid to just be under the radar and in three weeks time just settle into a side."
Kick-off between Western Force and the Lions at the 65,000 capacity Optus Stadium takes place at 10:45am UK time, live on talkSPORT. The Queensland Reds, New South Wales Waratahs, ACT Brumbies, Invitational AU & NZ, and a potential test against Australia follow. [4]
References:
- Web, n.d. "Henry Pollock: A Rugby Star on the Rise." The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/union/henry-pollock-lions-northampton-saints-b1996310.html
- Web, n.d. "Henry Pollock: The Rising Star of the British & Irish Lions." The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jul/03/henry-pollock-saints-lions-rugby-union
- Web, n.d. "The Incident That Made Henry Pollock a Household Name in Rugby." Daily Mail. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-9773339/The-incident-made-Henry-Pollock-household-name-rugby.html
- Web, n.d. "The British & Irish Lions Tour: What's Next for Henry Pollock and the Squad." Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/lions/2021/06/24/british-irish-lions-tour-whats-next-henry-pollock-squad/
In anticipation of his debut against the Western Force, Henry Pollock, the young and vibrant starter in the key no.8 role, is ready to bring his unique football-style celebrations and ever-changing haircuts to the rugged world of MMA-inspired rugby. Pollock's presence has stirred up interest, not just in the sporting arena, but also in the world of trading, with rumors of potential sports transfers circulating.
