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Henry Pollock again splits rugby fans with his Lions debut antics
By Ian Cameron at Aviva Stadium, Dublin
No matter what he does, it seems rookie British & Irish Lions back row Henry Pollock has a unique power to split rugby fans – even when it’s off the bench on debut in the famous red of the touring side.
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Before coming on in the 28-24 defeat to Argentina at a packed Aviva Stadium, a clearly pumped-up Pollock could be seen shouting “Let’s go!” as he prepared to make his Lions bow — a moment that quickly went viral as cameras caught the back row firing himself up just before entering the field.
It was all too much for some fans.
While some hailed the young forward’s passion, many were left unimpressed by what they saw as self-conscious showboating — particularly in light of his subsequent performance, which included a missed tackle and a turnover lost at a crucial late ruck.
“Abysmal performance,” one fan wrote bluntly on X. “Missed tackle cost the try and stripped of the ball like a child at the end. Hard lines mate.”
“LET’S GOOOOOO” 😤
Henry Pollock was hyped to make his @lionsofficial debut from the replacements 💪#Lions2025 pic.twitter.com/bPzw5MNLus
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) June 20, 2025
Another echoed the criticism: “Instead of focusing on his role as a flanker he was trying to be the headline. Unfortunately, his missed tackle and stripped ball at the end which cost the Lions the game will be ignored.”
Some zeroed in on the timing of the outburst: “The kid knew he was on the screen and wanted the world to know he was coming on,” one poster claimed, while another wrote: “Didn’t shout until he seen himself on the big screen — very good player but needs to concentrate on the game.”
Others questioned whether Pollock, who has been tipped as a potential star on tour after a phenomenal breakout season for Northampton Saints, should be anywhere near the Test team: “Sorry but shouldn’t be anywhere near the test team. Not sure Marcus Smith should be either,” one viewer added.
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However, not everyone joined the pile-on. A number of fans rallied to defend the flanker, pointing to both his youth and the energy he brings to a game often criticised for lacking personality.
“Henry Pollock: social media at its worst,” one supporter wrote. “A 20-year-old kid having the time of his life and creating huge buzz around his sport. Just too much for some who’d prefer rugby to wither but uphold hypocritical sanctimonious ‘values’ rather than entertain and inspire a new generation.”
Matt Litchfield, the father of Pollock’s Northampton Saints teammate Tom, also came to his defence: “The boy is different gravy, maybe not to everyone’s taste but that’s life. Having been lucky enough to spend time with him what people think he is all about couldn’t be farther from the truth, genuinely engaging, full of life, unswerving belief, top bloke!!”
With the Lions now preparing for their first fixture in Australia, Andy Farrell will certainly have more on his mind than how fans are reacting to Pollock’s antics. The Lions will be eager to bounce back in some fashion against Western Force, arguably the weakest of the Australian Super Rugby sides, in Perth.
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He was (perhaps deliberately) twice ignored by Williams when he was in a position to make one of his runs…….was Williams told by Jac Morgan not to give the ball to Pollock?
He should be going on England's summer tour, which is more important.
Pollock shouldn’t be in the squad. He’s not as good as Willis playing for Toulouse or Underhill or even Pearson at Saints given Pearson is an extra option at line out.
This kid’s a poophol
Your just a total negative Muppet, have you ever played the game
I've no problem with it really, it just means he has to back it up every single time.
No wriggle room.
Many of the best flankers put the head down and don't draw attention to themselves while doing the grunt work to help their team.
He did one excellent carry flat and broke the line and then three static carries where he slowed the ball and struggled to keep possession, those should have gone to a big body for quick ball and then him on quick ball. He’s got to learn his place and duty in the team.