\n<\/p>\n
Pollock has managed every significant step up in his career with youthful abandon.<\/p>\n
A try against Leinster helped Northampton Saints to another European final, a crucial score against Australia helped steer England to victory – one of 11 successive Test wins in 2025. Even on the Lions tour he was undaunted.<\/p>\n
“For me it was going into that environment and learning as much as I could from world class coaches and players,” he said.<\/p>\n
“I was in awe of everyone around me but I definitely didn’t feel out of my depth.”<\/p>\n
While his talent is obvious, his character has and will divide opinion in a sport which has traditionally been about the collective.<\/p>\n
England and Lions captain Maro Itoje branded him a “pest”, Courtney Lawes called him “cocky” and Jamie George warmly described him as “an idiot, but he’s our idiot”.<\/p>\n
Pollock admits he revels in getting under the skin of opponents.<\/p>\n
“That part of the game I find fun. How can I make them annoyed at me? Then you never know what happens on the back of that,” he said.<\/p>\n
Pollock recalled the moment he faced the New Zealand haka at the Allianz Stadium in November.<\/p>\n
“I look back on that and think what was I doing? I stared down one of their players and the next thing you know I’m licking my lips. I got a little bit of stick from that, but it’s all for the love of the game.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n