Blond bombshell Pollock shows England's new edge

Perhaps it says something about Henry Pollock that the 20-year-old England starlet manages to be the centre of attention even when isn't trying to be.

- HARRY LATHAM-COYLE RUGBY CORRESPONDENT

George Ford was about halfway through a typically excellent articulation of how his side had subtly shifted strategy to swing the clash with Australia their way when the fly half was interrupted by an almighty crack from across the room. Pollock, waiting patiently to speak to the press but short of a seat, had propped himself up on a bin clearly not designed to take the weight of England's next big thing - cue an apologetic raise of the hand and curious glance at the makeshift seat beneath him as it creaked under the strain.

For perhaps a more pertinent example of the profile that Pollock already commands, one only has to look at his introduction into the contest. With the game in the balance at 10-7, Australia having stuck in it and grown with confidence, Steve Borthwick turned to his bench trump card. At 51 minutes, five of his six British and Irish Lions were sent on together. It was a group that included a 50th capper in Luke Cowan-Dickie, the ever-popular Ellis Genge and Tom Curry, playing his first minutes of the season. And yet, as the stadium announcer dutifully worked through the list of replacements, it was Pollock who drew the greatest reaction.

All this for a player making his Twickenham debut in his first full campaign as a senior squad member. “Everybody’s excited when Henry Pollock gets on the pitch because of what he brings,” Borthwick suggested. “He’s probably the most excited person! He is a ball of energy. I love having that character in the squad.”