Pollock was a popular Lions tourist with his team-mates despite ruffling a few feathers
08:52, 16 Aug 2025Updated 08:54, 16 Aug 2025
Henry Pollock (r) celebrates with Lions team-mate Tommy Freeman(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Legendary South African coach Jake White has questioned the conduct of Henry Pollock on the recent Lions tour after being unimpressed by certain things he saw. Pollock’s confident youthful exuberance on and off the pitch was seen by many as a positive, but White says some of his choices went against the traditions and values of the tourists.
Pollock made five appearances for the Lions in total, but was not included in the matchday squad for any of the three Tests. He was a popular member of the touring party with team-mates, with his personality on show for all to see.
Former Springboks and Bulls coach White, though, seems to have strangely taken issue with him wearing his baseball cap the wrong way round. He did, however, praise coach Andy Farrell for his handling of the player.
“One of the curveballs could have been the effervescent Henry Pollock but I think Andy Farrell handled him really well. I looked at him in the first Test and he was wearing a baseball cap the wrong way round,” he wrote in his RugbyPass column.
“I look at the history, traditions and values of the Lions and it doesn’t warrant you doing that.
“That’s me talking but to be fair, he got game time, got a feel of what it’s like to be a Lion and while at times, he showed how young he was with the behaviours he exhibited there’s no doubting he has talent. I think he will emerge stronger for the experience and will be around the Test game for a long time.”
Pollock ruffled feathers during the tour after insisting their intention was to whitewash Australia 3-0 and become the best team to have represented the elite of British and Irish rugby.
He has since been rewarded with an enhanced England contract for the first time as reward for his breakout year in Test rugby.
The 20-year-old back-row has made only one appearance for his country, scoring two tries as a replacement in the 68-14 Six Nations win over Wales in March.
His late-season form for Northampton led to selection for the British and Irish Lions’ successful tour of Australia.
Sam Warburton has praised Northampton Saints back-rower Henry Pollock. (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)
Pollock earned praise from Lions legend Sam Warburton after the tour, with the former Wales captain insisting he must now start for England and not be seen as an impact player from the bench.
“I just hope he doesn’t fall victim too much to what Justin Tipuric suffered with Wales,” Warburton said.
“Where for the first part of his career he was considered a good bench player because of his impact skills.
“Versatility can be a burden as well as a boon. But Pollock has come back with a huge amount of credibility.”