England hopeful Henry Pollock opens up on prospect of representing Scotland

England’s latest addition to their Girona training camp, Henry Pollock, has said that it is his “goal” to represent the senior side, but has not ruled out the prospect of representing Scotland in the future.

Following an injury to Harlequins No. 8 Alex Dombrandt, the Northampton Saints flanker, who recently turned 20, was called into Steve Borthwick’s squad this week alongside four other players. 

Though Pollock moves ever closer to his first England cap, the Oxfordshire-born forward actually qualifies to play for Scotland due to his Scottish parents. However, having represented England A in November – a player of the match display against Australia A – he is barred from representing another country for another three years under World Rugby’s eligibility rules.

While the Saint would only be 22 by the time he qualifies for Scotland, that would require Borthwick to ignore him for the next three seasons, which, given the trajectory that he is on, seems unfathomable.

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Be it a World Rugby U20 Championship with England, Investec Champions Cup player of the match displays or a standout performance for England A, Pollock has never looked out of his depth regardless of the giant strides he has taken in his young career. An England debut looked likely in the summer with some of his compatriots being tied up with the British and Irish Lions, but it would not be a surprise to see him capped over the next two months, nor would it be a surprise to see him take to Test rugby with aplomb.

Pollock is the rising star of English, and indeed world, rugby, and whether it is at No. 8 or No. 7, he will likely be part of an England back-row for many years to come. With that said, he has not ruled out the possibility of representing Scotland down the line. Joining The Rugby Pod recently, he gave the hint, though it is hard to see when that occasion will arise.

“I am Scottish-qualified, my mum and dad are Scottish,” Pollock said.

“I’ll admit, we used to support Scotland when we were younger.

“I think the England A game capped me, so unfortunately for the next three years I will be trying to push for that England squad. But I think route one would be England, that is my goal. Potentially, you never know, I could follow in Jim’s [Hamilton] footsteps.”