These are exciting times at Franklin’s Gardens. Just days after securing one of the club’s greatest victories against Leinster, four Northampton players have been selected for the British & Irish Lions squad. The atmosphere around the club has been buzzing ever since the announcement. While Fin Smith, Henry Pollock, Tommy Freeman, and Alex Mitchell are naturally thrilled, what’s perhaps even more telling is the collective joy shared by everyone at the club on their behalf. The team’s celebration video has already gone viral, and it turns out that Fraser Dingwall, though he was on the cusp of making the Lions squad himself, hosted a celebration dinner for the group at his house on the night of the announcement, opening a couple of bottles of champagne for the occasion.
Mitchell, Freeman, Smith, and Pollock are all young players, with Pollock being just 20 years old. Their Lions memories are mostly limited to the last tour to Australia in 2013, and they’ve grown up together through the ranks at Northampton. Pollock, who was playing junior rugby this time last year and was struggling to break into the first team at the start of this season, describes the feeling of being selected alongside three close friends as “special.” He only started entertaining the thought of making the Lions squad in the spring, after making his England debut and scoring a spectacular try against Sale in the Premiership.
Pollock’s meteoric rise has been one of the most impressive in recent memory. He has gone from playing youth rugby to breaking into the first team, and now he’s a British & Irish Lion. His development has been extraordinary, as he possesses an infectious energy, talent, and mindset that has made him a standout performer. Teammates, like Mitchell, are full of praise, highlighting how Pollock had everything in place when he first came through the academy, but no one could have predicted how quickly he would make an impact.
Mitchell likens him to darts prodigy Luke Littler, noting that while many players coming into the system tend to overthink their performances, Pollock remains authentic, giving his all and playing with his heart. That heart and genuine passion for the game have made him a crowd favorite, as Freeman puts it, “just a hell of a character,” someone who constantly impresses. Freeman, no stranger to a successful run himself, having scored in every round of the Six Nations, appreciates Pollock’s relentless nature.
For Pollock, it’s all about keeping his momentum going. “I just hope he continues doing his thing,” says Freeman, reflecting on Pollock’s charismatic and confident approach to the game. Rugby needs characters like him to keep the sport engaging and to generate excitement among fans.
As they move toward their next challenges, including the upcoming match against Exeter, all four Lions have been given the weekend off to recharge. Mitchell, reflecting on the emotional toll the last few days have had on him, mentions being in bed by nine o’clock after the celebration. The club’s players are gearing up for their next important fixtures, including a home game against Saracens on 17 May and the Champions Cup final against Bordeaux-Begles the following week.
The last time Northampton had four players in the Lions squad was in 1997, and there’s hope that this group of players will replicate the success of that team by winning the Champions Cup in the coming weeks. Beyond the club’s aspirations, however, the focus is on the Lions’ upcoming first match against Argentina in Dublin on 20 June, where these four players will look to make their mark on rugby’s biggest stage. The excitement and anticipation for this new chapter in their careers continue to build.
