Pollock can fight his way into Lions first XV, says Borthwick

Steve Borthwick believes Henry Pollock can force his way into the British & Irish Lions Test team for the series against Australia this summer despite having just one England cap as a replacement to his name.

- Gerard Meagher

The 20-year-old was the headline inclusion in Andy Farrell's Lions squad last month after a stunning breakthrough season in which he has helped Northampton into Saturday's Champions Cup final against Bordeaux.

At the start of the Six Nations he was still turning out for England Under-20s before starting to figure in Borthwick's thinking towards the end of the championship. He made a fine debut off the bench against Wales in Cardiff, scoring two tries in a 32-minute cameo.

As a back-rower, Pollock is in arguably the most competitive position in Farrell's squad with Tom Curry, Ben Earl, Jac Morgan, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan for company. But he would join a select group of players that includes Jason Robinson and Jamie George should he make his first Test start for the Lions rather than England.