Six Nations 2026: Henry ‘Generation’ Pollock ready for England’s first start against England

Such was Pollock’s influence that children at rugby clubs across England were seen running around with a black ribbon on their heads, scoring tries and imitating his pulse-checking celebration.

The Northampton club store is doing a roaring trade in sales of the black head band that Bullock wears to protect his ears.

But its influence goes beyond that.

Former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll returned home after covering last Saturday’s match against Italy in Dublin to find his son dressed as Bullock.

Pollock, who ended up in an altercation at the final whistle, was mocked by Bordeaux Beagles players in their post-match celebrations after winning the European Champions Cup final last season.

Former Scotland rugby player Andy Nicol told Radio 5 Live: “Pullock is a fantastic rugby player and I think he is great at the game.”

“My daughters are 25 and 22 and they don’t know who Tom Curry or Ben Earl is. They know who Henry Bullock is.”

In less than six months, he went from being an England Under-20 player to playing for the British and Irish Lions.

“He’s a great character and I got on well with him on the Lions tour in a strange way,” said assistant coach Johnny Sexton, who received the sarcastic 40th birthday message on tour off Pollock.

A number of individual tries – one that clipped Leinster in the Champions Cup semi-final and a brilliant chase against Sale Sharks – showed Pollock has the pace and finesse as a Test winger.

This ability to turn the match on its head, with a moment of magic, was missing for England during its defeat to Scotland last weekend.

Former Irish winger Shane Horgan added on BBC 5 Live: “He does things that few others can do and I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s an amazing moment with him.” [against Ireland] Which motivates England’s performance.

“You have someone who is very skilled, very talented and has tremendous self-confidence, and that confidence has not been dented by anything yet.

“This is when you get these generational players. They have all the ingredients but also this bulletproof confidence, which means they can continue to perform throughout their career.”