Henry Pollock responds to clamour for British & Irish Lions call-up after Northampton Saints win

Henry Pollock said it would be an ‘honour’ to represent the British & Irish Lions after playing a starring role in Northampton Saints’ Champions Cup semi-final defeat of Leinster.

The 20-year-old has enjoyed a magnificent few months for both club and country and there has been a clamour for Andy Farrell to include the back-row forward on this summer’s eagerly anticipated tour of Australia.

An injury to Alex Dombrandt saw Pollock called up by England for the first time in January and the youngster went on to make his debut against Wales in the Six Nations, coming off the bench to score two tries at the Principality Stadium.

Since England’s resounding 68-14 win in Cardiff, Pollock has further strengthened his case for selection Down Under with a string of inspired performances at club level with Northampton.

On Saturday, Pollock shone up against fellow Lions hopeful Josh van der Flier and capped off a fine individual display with magnificent try on the half-hour mark in Dublin.

Saints survived a late onslaught from Leinster to come away from the Aviva Stadium with a famous 34-37 victory, setting up what promises to be an intriguing final with Bordeaux on May 24.

Asked if he had allowed himself to dream about a Lions’ call-up after the gruelling contest, Pollock told reporters: ‘I’ve thought about it but at the end of the day, you can’t control it, it’s subjective.

‘Look, it would be an honour to go on that plane and represent the Lions.

‘But if it’s not this year then I’m sure I’d be able to bounce back and pick myself up.’

Farrell will name his squad for the Lions’ three-match Test series on Thursday afternoon and Pollock knows the decision is ultimately out of his hands.

‘I thought I did alright today. But it’s not up to me, it’s not up to anyone that I know,’ he added.

‘It’s up to the Lions coaches so I’ll be waiting as the same time as you.

‘I think we’ve got a kit photoshoot [on Thursday] so I think we’ll be together with the boys.

‘I’ve got no doubt that there will probably be a camera set up as well.’

Pollock was delighted Northampton’s hard work on the training ground paid off so they could ‘put on a show’ against a dangerous Leinster side.

‘It was a crazy game to play in. They’re one of the best club sides in the world and they’ve got the best players in the world,’ he explained.

‘In the week, we talked about enjoyment and belief in our own group and we put on a show.

‘We’re really happy with that.’

Pollock knows Saints can ill afford to rest on their laurels, with Sam Vesty’s men keeping either other in check and ‘not getting too far ahead of themselves’.

Asked what it would mean to lift the Champions Cup, Pollock replied: ‘It would mean everything. Any team would love to win a trophy.

‘We haven’t had the best run in the Premiership and we’ve looked to Europe to give us that confidence.

‘We’ve been on a run recently and we’re trying to take everything in our stride: not to get too far ahead of ourselves.

‘The boys will be excited and hopefully some boys will be back from injury so that will give us confidence.

‘We’re excited. We’ve got Exeter away next week so we’re looking at that first, but we’re excited.’

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