Northampton Saints boss Phil Dowson is backing Henry Pollock to fill the void left by France-bound Tom Willis behind the England pack.
England boss Steve Borthwick seems to be making ready to make use of Ben Earl as his No.8, however Pollock has beforehand began on the base of the scrum for the Saints and began two video games for the Lions there in the summertime.
Summer season signing Callum Chick has began 5 occasions for Dowson in that place this season, however he says that he would don’t have any hesitation in enjoying Pollock if he wanted to.
“He belies his stature in the way in which that he manages to make metres, and his carrying is so good. His ball enjoying is superb, and he can do issues that folks can’t do. He sees house the place others don’t,” stated Dowson.
“I feel he’s greater than succesful. It’s going to rely a bit of bit on what Steve (Borthwick) is in search of in that house, however I’d don’t have any quarms in any respect enjoying Henry at No.8 for the Saints.
“The conversations we now have had about Henry have been primarily based on his sport by way of what we’re going after and the way that matches with the England sport plan and their mannequin about what they’re seeing in his sport.
“These conversations are very wealthy for me by way of what he has noticed when teaching him and watching him play. He had a good time on the Lions tour, and I’m certain there may be extra we are able to get out of Henry,” he stated.
Dowson admits that Pollock and Fin Smith returned from the Lions with a chip on their shoulders, disenchanted that they didn’t play in a take a look at match, and is eager to see what they’ve added to their video games from the expertise.
“Henry and Fin have been very aggravated to not have performed in a Take a look at. I messaged them once they have been picked, and so they have been delighted however that shortly adjustments to proper now, I wish to play in a Take a look at, and I wish to get capped.
“You’ve gotten this fast spike of enjoyment, and it’s then what’s subsequent, what’s subsequent. These two lads got here again with a little bit of a chip on their shoulder, I feel, and frustration that they needed to be higher.
“They consumed all of that have, and I feel it is going to be attention-grabbing to see how they act upon that over the subsequent six months and what they’ve added to their sport.
“Tommy (Freeman), like everybody, enjoys getting one over on Henry sooner or later, however he isn’t simply quashed,” he added.
