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Rugby fans level same reproach at Henry Pollock following Castres game
By Ian Cameron
Northampton Saints flanker Henry Pollock has drawn a mixed response from supporters following his performance in Northampton Saints’ 51–16 Champions Cup quarter-final win over Castres.
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The 20-year-old scored twice in the rout at Franklin’s Gardens but drew criticism for his exuberant celebrations — which some fans saw as unnecessary showboating.
Pollock, who has been touted as a potential outside bet for the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia this summer, dotted down in the 47th minute following a clean break and offload from scrum-half Alex Mitchell. With defenders closing in, Pollock delayed grounding the ball and then thumped it into the turf in celebration.
His second try, minutes later, was set up by another piece of sharp work from Mitchell, who produced a series of dummies before releasing Pollock beneath the posts. Again, Pollock waited before touching down and then mimicked a basketball shot over a Castres defender.
While the flanker’s try-scoring instinct and support play were plain to see, not all observers were impressed by his decision to celebrate in such a fashion.
Henry Pollock’s second try ✌️
Another fine display from the @SaintsRugby man as they claimed a big victory today 😇#InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/9OVxtV4SC2
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) April 12, 2025
Reactions online ranged from admiration of his flair to concern about perceived arrogance.
Premier Sports commentator Miles Harrison was among those caught off guard by the moment, remarking during the broadcast: “Pollock scoring once more! Oh, come on, you do have to put it down. He really is a showman!”
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“Pollock needs a lesson in humility,” wrote one fan on social media. “Outstanding talent, but dot down first and celebrate after.”
Another noted: “I read something saying he’s not arrogant…seems like he is though. The delayed score, the basketball shot after, the walk off. Feel like he’d have been filled in if he played 15 years ago.”
Another wrote: “Such a pity, he taints his talent like this. Pity there’s no strong characters in the club to guide him a bit better,” while another moaned: “His arrogance leaves a lot to be desired, especially that try & celebration. No sportsmanship at all. Let us see if he does that against Van der Flier and RG Synman…”
Others might argue that rugby union, which has always had its nose in the air around celerbations and “showboating”, needs to embrace a player like Pollock who isn’t scared to get in opponents’ faces in what is an aggressive, contact sport.
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“This ‘criticism’ of Henry pollock is just ridiculous!,” wrote one of the few fans coming to his defence. “He’s 20 years old, he’s arguably the biggest talent in English rugby if not world rugby and you’ve got people moaning because he’s arrogant/cocky…for **** sake, let the boy play, let him be himself, let him thrive.”
What seems to have been lost on many is just how bad-tempered Castres had been, with cheap shots flying throughout the contest.
“How good is that? Massive win tonight, bring on Leinster away,” said Pollock after the game on Premier Sports. The England U20s flanker was clattered in one tackle by Castres standoff Louis Le Brun. “I don’t think I’ve ever been hit like that. That hit off that lineout. Oh my! I saw him and next thing I know I’m on the floor… It was the fly-half, but don’t tell them [his Saints teammates] that lads!”
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His team mates love it and so do I. Too many boring tosspots in sport nowadays.
Not for me thanks. Not entirely interested in showboating and daft little dances, hoping Leinster blank them.
Any country but England would be proud of such a talent. Let the young man parade his talent.
There have been many top players show their skills and celebrate their success whether in golf, F1, football or cricket.
Pollock is a product of a Stowe private school who’s fees are £53k per annum. He has been privileged all his life. This is not some attitude and exhuberance that suddenly emerged as he crossed the try line. He needs to learn some humility fast.
NZ who have developed a winning mentality over a century have a no d1ckhead rule for very good reason. D1ckheads are not conducive to tight teams. The Lions also have an unwritten similar rule through bitter experience. (eg Healy and Carling). He has zero chance of making this or any future Lions tour unless he unlearns whatever belief system he holds.
He’s 20. Lessons will come. I hope?
I hardly see player “celebrate” these days. Most of them just celebrate with the team - that’s what its about.
Jacque, he comes from a £53,000 per year private school. The attitude in those schools is not good to lower classes, foreigners etc. Some people of good nature might be strong enough to avoid the resultant stink of privilege. This guy is not one of them.
Pure adrenalin. We do funny things when pumped up. That combined with the exuberance of youth. He will control it as he will grow out of it as he matures.
He won’t be getting any Lions call ups until then under the unwritten ‘no d1ckheads’ policy.
Typical. Just let the oke celebrate. What has got all you fans’ knickers in a knot? Really? Of the NhS win, this is what you take from it? Let him celebrate how he wants. If he wants to be ecstatic he will be.
If his team feel it's OTT then they will keep him in check.
You guys stop moaning, just let him do his thing
Showboating one thing, niggly s hit in the ruck like untying players laces….nah thats making yourself a target. Leinster wont fall for that nonsense
No
They will be too busy diving on the wrong side or going into rucks at the side.
Did he do that?
He is good . Let him be .He may yet get a couple of corners knocked off him , but then again maybe not .It’s fun watching !
He is a vain idiot. No chance of making Lions with a character like that.
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He’ll get his comeuppance against leinster. Fella is a cracking player, but he’s believing in his own hype. Let’s see how smart he is coming up against that leinster team away from home. He’s about to go swimming in the big pond. That carry on was idiotic
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Let him be. If he wants to showboat abit then fair enough. It’s up to his coaches and teammates to pull him aside and advise him, while keeping his personality at the forefront. Experience will help him reign it in. However, if he gets abit left on him and gets a humility check off either RG, Porter, McCarthy, Conan etc…..in the semi. Well then that might not be a bad thing in the long term as well. All a learning experience, but I wouldn’t put a bet on him doing so in a game of that magnitude.
He’ll be too busy looking on at conversions from under his own posts to be worried about acting like a bloody prat
There is no room for showboating in rugby, if you want that play soccer. He won’t be doing that against Leinster.
Spot on mate. We’ll see how smart he is in Dublin
I’m all for it. He backs it up with his game.
He does F-all in the ruck. He just pops up for the hero moments.
If he had dropped those balls before dotting them down he would have looked very stupid, his coach would be roasting him and all your gung ho, “let him be himself” comments would seem ridiculous. His coach and fellow players should all be on his case, many top flight players have made fools of themselves doing the same thing. I love watching Pollock play, he's a great talent, but come on, be professional and make sure before whooping and hollering.
Probably one of the reasons we don't have many superstars is because we start shooting them down if they show a bit of arrogance. He's a young man and I'm sure he's got a lot of great role models around him who will help to keep him on the right track. Let's cut the kid some slack and give him time.
Pollock is a product of a Stowe private school who’s fees are £53k per annum. He is privileged and needs to learn some humility fast.
NZ who have developed a winning mentality over a century have a no d1ckhead rule for good reason. The Lions also have an unwritten similar rule through bitter experience. Looks like the ‘kid’ has had slack cut for him his whole life. Someone needs to have a word with him. Shocking example of a sportsman.