Pollock Takes Center Stage as England Revamps Squad Ahead of Ireland Clash

In an exciting development for English rugby, Henry Pollock has secured his inaugural Test start as head coach Steve Borthwick implements three adjustments to the lineup for the Six Nations encounter against Ireland on Saturday at Allianz Stadium.

The 21-year-old will take the position of number eight, joining forces with fellow British and Irish Lion Tom Curry, who has been a substitute in the last six Tests, and Ben Earl in the back row.

Center Ollie Lawrence makes his return after missing selection for the recent heavy loss to Scotland at Murrayfield.

Tommy Freeman, who played outside center in the first two matches, is now shifting back to the right wing.

England faced challenges in aerial play against Gregor Townsend’s squad, an area that had previously been a strength during their impressive 12-match winning streak, which came to an end last Saturday.

Tom Roebuck has been dropped from the right wing position after struggling to make an impact in the air.

On the other hand, Henry Arundell, who was sent off after receiving two yellow cards—his second for taking out a player in the air—is presented with a chance to redeem himself on the left wing.

The 23-year-old has already scored four tries in the first two rounds and has been cleared to participate following the incident.

Borthwick has expressed a clear intention to utilize Freeman at outside center, yet the 24-year-old is arguably England’s most proficient player in aerial contests, a skill that has been sorely missed.

Lawrence, who has recovered from a knee injury that sidelined him in the opening match, was always expected to contribute significantly in this Six Nations after an outstanding performance against New Zealand last autumn, showcasing his powerful ball-carrying ability.

England’s offensive strategy faltered against Scotland, and the strengths of Lawrence likely influenced the decision to revert Freeman’s position.

“It is tough. When I joined during the autumn internationals, Tommy moved to 13, and there was a sense of competition,” Lawrence shared.

“I didn’t anticipate this immediate change, but I knew it was a possibility. After my performance in the second game, I expected to start as the Six Nations began, but Tommy returned to 13.”

“It’s not frustrating; it’s just one of those situations where you keep pushing and sometimes have to bide your time.”

Captain Maro Itoje is set to earn his 100th cap, becoming only the ninth England player to achieve this milestone.

Half-backs Marcus Smith and Jack van Poortvliet were not selected last week but will feature in a split bench with six forwards and two backs.

Both England and Ireland have notched only one victory from their initial two games in the tournament, making this match crucial for both teams’ championship aspirations.

Pollock, representing Northampton Saints, has come off the bench as an impact player in all seven of his caps under Borthwick’s guidance.

After touring with the British and Irish Lions last summer, the 21-year-old is emerging as one of the most thrilling young talents in rugby and now has the chance to prove his worth as a starting player.

“He is a beacon of excitement, and his international journey began less than a year ago, yet he’s already become a notable figure both on and off the field,” remarked former England wing Ugo Monye.

“People are drawn to him. While warming up, fans were shouting, ‘Henry, look, it’s Henry!’ It’s a rare occurrence for a back-row player to generate such buzz—usually, it’s a winger or a fly-half that gets that kind of attention.”

While the selection of Pollock isn’t unexpected following his impactful performances off the bench, shifting Earl to openside flanker raises some intriguing questions.

Bath teammates Guy Pepper and Sam Underhill, both included on the bench, have partnered on the flanks for the last four Tests but struggled to make their mark at Murrayfield.

A swap between Pollock and Curry seemed like a more straightforward adjustment.

Earl has consistently been one of England’s standout players at number eight—a position he typically does not play for his club due to Tom Willis.

Pollock has made his last five starts for Northampton at number eight, while Andy Farrell utilized him across the back row during the Lions’ tour of Australia.

In those five starts for Saints, Pollock has found the try line six times, illustrating his effectiveness in the back row.

England’s Lineup

The lineup for England includes: Steward; Freeman, Lawrence, Dingwall, Arundell; Ford, Mitchell; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Heyes, Itoje, Chessum, T Curry, Earl, Pollock.

The substitutes are: George, Rodd, Davison, Coles, Pepper, Underhill, Van Poortvliet, M Smith.

It’s noteworthy that Itoje, who debuted internationally in 2016, missed the beginning of England’s training camp in Girona due to attending his mother Florence’s funeral in Nigeria.

As he approaches his 100th cap against Ireland, the occasion is particularly significant as it marks his 14th match against Farrell’s squad, the highest number of appearances against any single opponent.

“First and foremost, he is a remarkable figure in English rugby,” Borthwick commented.

“When we talk about icons and stars of the game, he is exceptional, and I am thrilled for him as he reaches this milestone this weekend.”

Throughout his career, Itoje has demonstrated remarkable consistency, playing the full 80 minutes in 30 consecutive Six Nations matches until he began on the bench against Wales this year.

Of his previous 99 caps, 95 have been as a starter—a testament to his durability and performance level.

His contributions span carries, tackles, turnovers, and line-outs, showcasing his comprehensive skill set. England will need their captain at peak performance if they are to recover from recent setbacks.

Since 2023, Itoje has achieved over twice as many turnovers as any other England player, consistently making an impact in both offensive and defensive plays.

In this timeframe, the 31-year-old has participated in 1,247 defensive and attacking rucks—an astonishing 515 more than any of his teammates.