Henry Pollock putting 'a lot of pressure on himself' with 'predictions' as England and Lions star thrills on return to Gallagher PREM
Updated 11/10/2025 at 21:04 GMT+1
TNT Sports rugby pundits Ugo Monye, Brian O'Driscoll, and Ben Kay praised Henry Pollock ahead of Northampton Saints' 32-26 win over Leicester Tigers in the Gallagher PREM. Pollock, who had a breakthrough season culminating in a British and Irish Lions call-up last season, was back to his old tricks when he came off the bench, making an impact shortly after and making a trademark celebration.
Watch: Pollock hits first cele of the season after crucial jackal
Video credit: TNT Sports
Henry Pollock is putting "a lot of pressure on himself" with his "predictions" as the England and Lions star thrilled on his return to the Gallagher PREM.
The 20-year-old came on in the 60th minute and made an immediate impact a few minutes later.
He made a huge turnover and delivered a trademark animated celebration as the Tigers attempted to break Saints' stranglehold on the second half.
Before kick-off, Pollock and his self-confidence were a topic of discussion between TNT Sports pundits Ugo Monye, Ben Kay, and Brian O'Driscoll.
"We were all championing for him to be included in the Lions," Kay said, referencing Pollock's breakout season last year.
"He's not been any quieter with some of his predictions this year, the only problem is he's put a lot of pressure on himself now. We want stars, no one is saying we don't want Henry Pollock behaving or speaking the way he did last year and backing himself."
- Rare scenes as ref replaced - 'I can't carry on'
- Northampton hold firm to secure win in thrilling Gallagher PREM East Midlands derby
As the season began, Pollock posted a picture of himself on Instagram, accompanied by the caption "What you’ve seen so far is only the start."
While no doubt immensely talented, Pollock made waves for his boisterous attitude and spirited celebrations last season.
Kay continued: "The only thing I would say is now, when you get to that level, there will be a certain section of the rugby public that are waiting for that tall poppy syndrome, waiting for him to have a poor couple of games. He's come out on social media this week saying 'I've only just got started.'
"Well, he's going to have to back it up, and if he does, there's no reason he can't be one of the great players of English rugby."
Pollock picked up the Breakthrough Player of the Season award after a stellar year that saw him score two tries on his England debut, and earn a selection for the British and Irish Lions.
He also played an important role as Northampton battled to the final of the Champions Cup, losing to Bordeaux Begles.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/10/11/image-789df4b1-ed0f-4f51-8e83-cfd1803ecdd1-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Highlights: Northampton edge out Leicester in spicy derby
Video credit: TNT Sports
"He was incredible," O'Driscoll added. "You couldn't not select him on the Lions tour, even with only one international cap under his belt. He was brilliant in Europe and a big part of them getting to the final last year. Cameo performances when he came off the bench on a few occasions, he changed games.
"He was absolutely outstanding, and I think we were all super excited every time he got a touch of the ball because he had magic in his boots as well as his hands. But there's a reason you have the saying 'second-season syndrome' because lots of players do succumb and find it more challenging.
"But he's almost built himself up even more this week on social media, saying, 'you ain't seen nothing yet,' he's embracing it and saying 'bring it on.'
"Because he will be double-teamed, he will get a little bit more treatment, and Ben is right, there are probably people waiting in the long grass for him to fail, but he doesn't think that way. You've got to acknowledge and appreciate that confidence in your own ability."
Watch and stream the Gallagher PREM, Quilter Nations Series and Premiership Women's Rugby live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Thoughts?