The future of English rugby HENRY POLLOCK on emulating Luke Littler, marathons in the desert and the eight Under-20 stars ready to burst into Steve Borthwick's team
Share:
Last Friday evening, at the academy house in Northampton, Henry Pollock and a couple of his young team-mates gathered around the TV to watch Luke Littler. They threw a few darts of their own, caught in the hysteria as the boy from Warrington was crowned king at just 17.
![[Pollock said it was 'mad' watching Luke Littler becoming darts world champion aged just 17]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/09/23/93936075-14268679-image-a-115_1736464008711.jpg)
Another week, another teen sensation grabbing the headlines. Much like Moses Itauma in the boxing ring in Saudi Arabia, or Ethan Nwaneri in the Arsenal midfield, Littler showed the fearlessness of youth in the next generation of English sports stars. In the rugby world, England’s Under 20 World Cup winners are demonstrating their own prowess at senior level. Pollock is one of the shining lights, invited down to Twickenham this week by Steve Borthwick, who has one eye on the not-too-distant future.
![[Pollock helped England win the Under-20 Six Nations last year and is targeting a senior call-up]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/09/23/93935761-14268679-image-a-116_1736464331126.jpg)
He has already established himself in Northampton’s senior ranks and is set to feature against Stade Francais in Saturday’s Champions Cup tie in Paris. Full international honours, it seems, is only a matter of time. ‘Watching Littler do what he did at his age was pretty mad,’ says Pollock, 19, settling into a suite at Franklin’s Gardens. ‘We wanted to go along to Ally Pally to watch but it didn’t really align with our game time. There’s a lot of talent coming through - darts, boxing, football - it’s exciting.
![[Pollock is an all-action back-row and backs up the noise with carries, tackles and turnovers]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/09/23/93935843-14268679-image-a-119_1736464696993.jpg)
