Pollock has managed every significant step up in his career with youthful abandon.

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.

“For me it was going into that environment and learning as much as I could from world class coaches and players,” he said.

“I was in awe of everyone around me but I definitely didn’t feel out of my depth.”

While his talent is obvious, his character has and will divide opinion in a sport which has traditionally been about the collective.

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”.

Pollock admits he revels in getting under the skin of opponents.

“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.

Pollock recalled the moment he faced the New Zealand haka at the Allianz Stadium in November.

“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.”