‘Star in the making’ wins 2024 U20 Six Nations Player of the Championship
England’s Henry Pollock during the 2024 U20 Six Nations Championship match at The Recreation Ground, Bath. Picture date: Friday March 8, 2024.
England star Henry Pollock has been named the 2024 U20 men’s Six Nations Player of the Championship after playing a key role in their title triumph.
The 19-year-old helped steer his country to their seventh U20 men’s Six Nations Championship, their first in three years, with pivotal performances in an unbeaten run to the age-grade crown.
The Banbury-born Northampton Saints flanker picked up three Player of the Match awards throughout this year’s tournament, including in the Round Five showdown against France in Pau.
Hat-trick against Italy
Three tries in England‘s opener against Italy in February set the tone for a tournament to remember for Pollock. He went on to register another try against his French counterparts as well as the third most carries (56) and defensive ruck arrivals (33) in the 2024 competition.
A product of the England Rugby Men’s Pathway, Pollock progressed through the U17 and U18 teams for his country, including a 2022 tour to South Africa where he was named Forward of the Tournament. The 2023 U18 Six Nations Festival saw Pollock earn his first taste of captaincy at international level to precede his first five caps as an U20 player this year.
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Northampton Saints’ youngest professional era try-scorer and former U18 captain has made it an unforgettable season after signing his first professional contract in spring 2023, kicking-on with his Premiership debut against Leicester Tigers and earning Saints’ cinch September Player of the Month.
Commenting on winning the Player of the Championship award, Pollock said: “I am very honoured to win the award. I want to thank everyone that has worked around me to get me to where I am now.
“It was a great tournament to be involved in. We built really well through the five games, and it was credit to the whole squad. It was a very good campaign, and we are now looking ahead and excited for the World Championship this summer.”
A star in the making
Julie Paterson, Chief of Rugby at Six Nations Rugby, added: ”Each year the Under-20 Six Nations Championship highlights the incredible talent each union and federation are developing.
“Henry is certainly a star in the making, and fully deserves his award. He is also a great example of the rugby pathway that the Under-18 Festivals and then Under-20 Championship offers, and its ability to provide a platform for such talented young players to showcase their skills, but also gain vital international rugby experience.”