England head coach Steve Borthwick has high praise for Henry Pollock, the 21-year-old flanker set to make his first Test start against Ireland in Saturday's crucial Six Nations clash. Pollock's meteoric rise from England Under-20s to British and Irish Lions in less than a year has made him one of rugby's most talked-about talents.

Borthwick was immediately struck by Pollock's confidence when they first met, recalling how the teenager bounded up and greeted him with 'how are you, mate?' rather than the typical shyness of an 18-year-old meeting the England head coach. The Northampton Saints star has become a cultural phenomenon, with children across England imitating his pulse-checking celebration and wearing black head tape in his honor.

Pollock's impact extends beyond the pitch - former Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll found his son dressed as Pollock after last week's game, while Northampton's club shop reports booming sales of black head tape. Despite being used as an impact replacement in all seven of his England caps, Pollock's performances against Scotland and Wales have earned him a starting berth at number eight, where he's scored six tries in his past five starts for Saints.