Henry Pollock has broken a PREM Rugby record for the most metres carried per 80 minutes by a back row player in the league.
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The 21-year-old has stood out this season for his performances on the field, while also developing a reputation as one of the game’s more combative and disruptive figures.
In last season’s Champions Cup final defeat to Bordeaux, he was involved in an incident after the final whistle when he tried to separate Saints captain Fraser Dingwall and Bordeaux fly-half Matthieu Jalibert.
Following that, Bordeaux prop Jefferson Poirot grabbed Pollock by the throat before the pair were separated. Poirot received a two-match suspension, while Pollock was cleared of any wrongdoing.
On the pitch, the numbers underline his impact. His carrying ability has made him a consistent attacking threat, driven by a mix of pace, power, and athleticism.
In the semi-final win over Leicester Tigers, Pollock made strong metres in contact from 26 carries and contributed heavily with his work at the breakdown, both key parts of his game.
According to Oval Insights, he has averaged 81.6 metres per 80 minutes this season in PREM Rugby, the highest recorded for a back row player since this data has been tracked. This surpasses the previous best set by Jasper Wiese, who averaged 67.9 metres per 80 in the 2020/21 season.
Pollock also appears high on the list from last season, when he averaged 67.6 metres per 80 minutes, which at the time ranked just below Wiese among the best in the competition.
He has even been averaging more metres per game than winger Noah Caluori, despite wingers typically having more space and opportunities to gain ground.
Attention now turns to Allianz Stadium, where Pollock’s Northampton Saints face Exeter Chiefs in the PREM Rugby final, with the winner set to be crowned English champions.
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Henry Pollock facts:
1. His gym stats are just plain ridiculous
Henry Pollock isn’t your average back-rower. The England sensation can squat 230kg for three reps, bench 140kg for two, clock speeds of around 10 metres per second and has reportedly smashed the Bronco test in an astonishing 4:25. At roughly 105kg, Pollock combines explosive power, elite pace and freakish fitness — a combination that’s left coaches and sports scientists struggling to find many comparisons in world rugby.
2. He’s staying put – for now
Despite serious interest from rival clubs, Pollock penned a multi-year deal with Northampton Saints back in December. The Prem champs weren’t letting this star go anywhere.
3. He exploded onto the international stage
Pollock announced himself in style, scoring two tries on debut in England’s emphatic 68–14 demolition of Wales in Cardiff during the 2025 Six Nations.
4. The youngest Lion of 2025
Pollock is the youngest member of the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad, and he’s been handed a very special job: looking after BIL the Lion teddy – a tradition he takes over from Louis Rees-Zammit.
5. He’s got the most unique try celebrations in rugby
Pollock doesn’t just score – he puts on a show. Against Leinster, he checked his pulse after dotting down – a tribute to Manchester United’s Diego Dalot. In another match, he went full NBA mode with a basketball-style jump shot using the rugby ball. Iconic stuff.
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6. Born to compete
Born 14 January 2005 in Banbury, Oxfordshire, Pollock has always had a fire in his belly. “I wanted to be the best at… probably everything,” he told The Telegraph.
7. Sporting greatness runs in the family
Pollock’s family is built for elite sport. His mum, Hester, was a national-level triathlete, and his dad, John, also has a strong sporting background. His sister, Zoe, competes as a 400m hurdler at the University of Georgia, and he has one brother, Angus. Safe to say the competitive streak runs deep in the Pollock household.
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