4 days ago
14
Henry Pollock’s nomination for World Rugby’s breakthrough player of the year award is not only a reflection of his stunning ascent, but also England’s impressive collective development.
I have always been of the opinion that players gaining individual recognition is a good thing because it is rare that it happens in a struggling team.
Pollock has come into the team at a great moment for the national side and is also fully deserving of his nomination. I think he’s way ahead of his three other rivals for the award from the southern hemisphere in New Zealand duo Fabian Holland and Ethan Hooker and Australia centre Joseph Suaalii.
Pollock is clearly not only a huge talent, but an equally big personality. Look at the way he licked his lips before facing the Haka. It takes something special to do what he’s doing.
At 20, Pollock wasn’t even close to being born when England won the World Cup in 2003. That makes me feel incredibly old! But what he is bringing to English rugby on and off the field is undoubtedly huge.
He's certainly delivering on the field. Some of the tries he’s scored for Northampton have made you sit up and go, 'Wow'. He’s already been on a Lions tour and become a key figure for England.
Henry Pollock is clearly not only a huge talent, but an equally big personality
What he is bringing to English rugby on and off the field is undoubtedly huge. The 20-year-old is certainly delivering on the field
Look at the way he licked his lips before facing the Haka. It takes something special to do what he’s doing
I’ve been impressed by the way Steve Borthwick and England’s senior players have handled Pollock. He’s clearly very well liked within the team environment - you can see that on match days when he bounces around like a teenager who has drunk too much pop.
But England are harnessing his ability very, very well by unleashing him from the bench to maximum effect. Pollock is also a star personality. Brands want to be associated with him. It can only be good for English rugby to have someone like that.
Good on him for changing the way things are done. I wish him good luck in his career – one which I’m sure will be long and successful. Pollock has played a huge part in what has been an exceptional autumn campaign for England so far. But it is not done yet.
After wins over Australia and Fiji, last weekend’s convincing victory over New Zealand was the best moment of Borthwick’s three-year tenure as head coach to date. To win all four of their November games would represent a huge confidence boost for England. But victory over Argentina on Sunday is far, far from guaranteed.
England haven’t had an autumn clean sweep since 2017, and to do so this year would represent a hugely significant moment. However, make no mistake that Argentina are a very good team who have an excellent chance of victory.
The Pumas have already beaten the Lions and the All Blacks in 2025 so far and their comeback from 21-0 down to get the better of Scotland last weekend was hugely impressive.
I think Borthwick has to keep his team’s feet on the floor. The impressive nature of both the performance and final scoreline against New Zealand could lead to England getting above their station. But I don’t think that will happen.
Not with Borthwick in charge and with senior figures like Maro Itoje and Jamie George in the group. Those sorts of guys are a great balance to the youthful exuberance of the likes of Pollock.
England are harnessing Pollock's ability very, very well by unleashing him from the bench to maximum effect
He is clearly very well liked within the team environment - you can see that on match days when he bounces around like a teenager who has drunk too much pop
England need to understand they weren’t perfect last weekend. The All Blacks game turned on its head when, with New Zealand 12-0 up, Scott Robertson’s side missed crucial kicks to touch. England deserve great credit for going up the other end and staying in touch thanks to George Ford’s two perfectly-struck drop goals.
But the reality is that had the All Blacks been clinical at that moment and extended their lead to either 15-0 or 19-0, England would have struggled to come back.
England can still improve. What a wonderful position that is for them to be in given they are now 10 unbeaten. I do expect them to beat Argentina too and that must be their only focus. Then attentions will turn to 2026.
It’s one thing England winning at Twickenham. That should always be expected. But the next step for this team is to taste big victories on the road. In the Six Nations, England will have to travel to France and Scotland. Then in the summer, when the Nations Championship begins, they’ll start with South Africa away.
These are great challenges to be welcomed and to look forward to. To be considered genuine World Cup contenders, England must show they can win on the road as well as at home. But what an opportunity that is.
Beat Argentina and Borthwick can say to his wife and children on Sunday evening: ‘We can have a good Christmas now.’ I remember I used to say that to my wife Jayne when I was coaching England. International coaching is such a tough job, as Robertson and Scotland boss Gregor Townsend are finding this week. So, it’s right to celebrate the good times.
England aren’t the full package quite yet, but they are undoubtedly on the journey to that point.
There may have to be a couple of injury-enforced changes for Argentina, and I’d be disappointed if Ollie Lawrence isn’t fit to start because he has been outstanding in the past two matches. But England’s strength in depth now is so good that they can cover for that.
I’d be disappointed if Ollie Lawrence isn’t fit to start against Argentina because he has been outstanding in the past two matches
England aren’t the full package quite yet, but they are undoubtedly on the journey to that point
England aside, this autumn has also shown me that the gap between the two hemispheres has narrowed.
Clearly, South Africa remain out on their own as No 1. The Springboks have won the last two World Cups and are leading the way for what would be a historic treble. But New Zealand are not quite the force they were and Australia certainly aren’t. Argentina are interesting because they can beat anyone on their day.
However, it is clear to me that England’s growth is part of an overall increasing threat from the north. Ireland and France have been very good teams for a while. But I think in the Six Nations, England will have a chance of beating them both, even if Les Bleus will be very tough in Paris on the Championship’s final weekend.
That can wait for now, though. England must focus on Argentina and only Argentina because if they are beaten on Sunday, the high of the All Blacks win will immediately be forgotten.
