Henry Pollock has spoken out after signing a new £450,000 a year deal with Northampton Saints until at least 2029.
Pollock, 21, put pen to paper after a contract stand-off with his club, with him still having a year left on his initial deal worth £150,000 per year.
He becomes one of the highest-paid back-row forwards, with the 21-year-old now targeting the Champions Cup this year after winning the Premiership title last season.
Commenting on his new contract, Pollock said: “I’m massively happy to re-sign with Saints, my boyhood club.
“It’s an exciting place to be right now. We’re in a great spot as a team, but it feels like there’s still so much more growth in us.
“I’m still young, and we’ve got a young squad with a brilliant group of lads. Some of my best mates are here, and every day everyone pushes each other to improve and be the best players and team we can be.
“For where I am in my career, this is exactly where I want to be. I feel like we’re only just getting started. We won the Prem last season, and we want to go again.
“Winning the Champions Cup is another huge ambition for us. We came so close a couple of years ago, and achieving that together would be incredibly special.”
Henry Pollock has spoken out after signing a new £450,000 a year deal with the Northampton Saints
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Pollock continued: “Dows [Phil Dowson] and [Sam] Vesty have been brilliant for me.
“They demand high standards and push us hard, but they’ve created a great environment where everyone wants to improve and succeed together.
“I’m excited to keep working with them and to see where this team can go over the next few years. I also want to thank my mum, dad and the rest of my family for everything they’ve done for me.
“They’ve made so many sacrifices along the way, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without their support.”
Pollock said: ‘I’m massively happy to re-sign with Saints, my boyhood club’
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PA
The Saints’ director of rugby, Dowson, shared his excitement at Pollock signing his new deal, praising the 21-year-old’s ability and character.
He said: “Physically, he’s an exceptional athlete. He’s explosive, powerful and highly skilful, with the ability to influence a game in a number of different ways.
“But there are still areas of his game he can develop, and one of Henry’s greatest strengths is how quickly he learns and adapts.
“People sometimes underestimate how intelligent he is as a rugby player.”
Pollock has set his eyes on winning the Champions Cup
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Dowson continued: “When we sit down to review performances, he’s often identified the same things we were going to discuss before we’ve even raised them.
“His understanding of the game is excellent, and that gives him a huge platform to keep progressing.
“He’s become an important figure not just for Saints, but for the wider game.
“He inspires young supporters, brings excitement to rugby, and understands that everything off the pitch is built on performing consistently on it. We’re excited to see what he can achieve over the coming years.”
