Henry Pollock’s arcing run to the tryline in Saturday’s epic 37-24 Champions Cup semi-final win over Leinster will probably be remembered as one of many spotlight reel moments within the historical past of the Investec Champions Cup.
Pollock had gone into the match in opposition to a backdrop of noise from followers and pundits alike questioning whether or not he may stroll the stroll in addition to discuss the discuss after his try-scoring antics within the quarter-final in opposition to Castres.
With Saints right down to 14 males and down by 5 factors after Curtis Langdon was despatched to the sin-bin approaching the half an hour mark, Pollock silenced the doubters and confirmed precisely why his means is price all of the hype by hitting an awesome line and taking the ball at full tempo on midway after which rounding Sam Prendergast as if he wasn’t there.
It drew Saints degree at 15-15 and prompted one other celebration, the 20-year-old unashamedly urgent his forefinger and index finger to his neck as if to test his pulse proper in entrance of the hordes of Leinster followers.
Whereas that was a standout second, Pollock’s all-round contribution, on each side of the ball, was phenomenal. He was the highest tackler within the sport with 18, 15 of which had been contained in the Saints’ half, as a part of their defiant rearguard motion.
Andy Farrell is thought to be large on gamers with an insatiable work-rate, and the truth that Pollock additionally hit essentially the most defensive rucks within the match (21) is unlikely to have gone unnoticed forward of Thursday’s Lions squad announcement.
