Northampton Saints boss Phil Dowson is backing Henry Pollock to fill the void left by France-bound Tom Willis at the back of the England pack.
England boss Steve Borthwick appears to be preparing to use Ben Earl as his No.8, but Pollock has previously started at the base of the scrum for the Saints and started two games for the Lions there in the summer.
Summer signing Callum Chick has started five times for Dowson in that position this season, but he says that he would have no hesitation in playing Pollock if he needed to.
“He belies his stature in the way that he manages to make metres, and his carrying is so good. His ball playing is excellent, and he can do things that people can’t do. He sees space where others don’t,” said Dowson.
“I think he is more than capable. It will depend a little bit on what Steve (Borthwick) is looking for in that space, but I would have no quarms at all playing Henry at No.8 for the Saints.
“The conversations we have had about Henry have been based on his game in terms of what we are going after and how that fits with the England game plan and their model about what they are seeing in his game.
“Those conversations are very rich for me in terms of what he has observed when coaching him and watching him play. He had a great time on the Lions tour, and I’m sure there is more we can get out of Henry,” he said.
Dowson admits that Pollock and Fin Smith returned from the Lions with a chip on their shoulders, disappointed that they didn’t play in a test match, and is keen to see what they have added to their games from the experience.
“Henry and Fin were very annoyed not to have played in a Test. I messaged them when they were picked, and they were delighted but that quickly changes to right now, I want to play in a Test, and I want to get capped.
“You have this quick spike of enjoyment, and it’s then what’s next, what’s next. Those two lads came back with a bit of a chip on their shoulder, I think, and frustration that they wanted to be better.
“They consumed all of that experience, and I think it will be interesting to see how they act upon that over the next six months and what they have added to their game.
“Tommy (Freeman), like everyone, enjoys getting one over on Henry at some point, but he is not easily quashed,” he added.
