Legendary hooker Keith Wood has claimed that “pain in the arse” Henry Pollock can provide a crucial spark for the British and Irish Lions on their upcoming tour.
The 20-year-old Test rookie only made his try-scoring England debut in March off the bench against Wales. He then backed up that eye-catching breakthrough with excellent club form for Northampton.
As a result, he was chosen by Andy Farrell for the Lions’ Australian trip, just days after he left favourites Leinster chasing shadows in Dublin in the Investec Champions Cup semi-final.
“He doesn’t shut up, that’s fine!”
Ahead of Saturday’s final for the Saints in Cardiff versus Bordeaux, retired Ireland skipper Wood has explained why he believes Pollock is a box office player whose enthusiasm for the game is something that should be celebrated rather than criticised.
Speaking to Genting Casino, two-time Lions tourist Wood said: “I have seen comments that he [Pollock] should not have been picked, that he has issues with certain parts of his game, which he absolutely does. But he is box office.
“There is an enthusiasm in his game that is lacking in a lot of other people’s games. We need that spark – and it is great to see a young guy get that opportunity.
“He winds people up the wrong way, but the best thing about it is that you are going to have a guy who irritates everybody, his own teammates, if you believe what you hear, but they love what he does on the field.
“This [the Lions tour] is his baptism, but he will learn more on the tour than he has up to this period of time. He doesn’t shut up. That’s fine. I would like the other guys to learn a little bit of his enthusiasm. That would be no harm.
“There is a joy in that young man that is kind of great to see on the field. Irritating to play against, but a joy nonetheless. He should soak up everything like a sponge.”
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Wood continued: “Suddenly you are going to have four countries cheering for him now. That could be confusing for some players. He is a guy you would like to dislike for some of them, but every time I have watched him play, a couple of times in the under-20s, he stands out.
“He is a pain in the arse in the best possible way, but he backs it up. It is not a case of empty words. You know what I like about him? He puts his head on the block every time he opens his mouth, but then he backs it up afterwards. That’s great.
“Look, I’m not comparing him to Martin Johnson. I used to describe Martin as the greatest pain in the arse to play against and one of the greatest joys to have on your own team.
“I disliked having to play against him for England because he was a bloody great player, awkward, hard angles and elbows. He was an unbelievable pain in the arse but I tell you what, you would have followed him anywhere.”
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/irish-legend-explains-the-best-thing-about-henry-pollock-being-a-guy-who-irritates-everybody
