Eddie Hearn is openly championing England flanker Henry Pollock, insisting that the young forward possesses the star power needed to revive the fortunes of rugby union. However, Hearn argues that Pollock and his fellow elite players should be compensated in a way that mirrors their commercial appeal and market value.
The conversation surrounding Pollock intensified after Hearn, acting as the player’s representative, suggested the 21‑year‑old deserves a contract worth around £1 million per season. This statement came amid ongoing talks with Northampton Saints, the club with which Pollock is currently tied. At present, Pollock’s remuneration package is reported to consist of a £150,000 annual salary from his club contract, which runs until the summer of next year, plus an additional £150,000 a year paid by the Rugby Football Union because he is classified as an enhanced elite England player.
In total, he is earning roughly £300,000 a year – a figure Hearn believes falls dramatically short of the player’s true worth. While Hearn emphasised that Pollock has no desire to leave Northampton, he used the situation to illustrate a broader problem: the financial ceiling imposed by English rugby is preventing the sport from unlocking its full commercial potential.
"Pollock is earning the same amount as a relatively unknown boxer fighting for a British title on a single night," Hearn told Sky Sports News, highlighting the stark contrast between the earnings of a world‑class rugby athlete and those of a fledgling pugilist. "He plays more than thirty matches a season, puts his body through relentless physical strain week after week, and every opposition team is planning how to shut him down. This isn’t a peripheral figure; he’s the marquee face of English rugby right now.
He’s a red‑hot superstar of the sport," Hearn continued. The promoter went on to describe Pollock’s impact on the grassroots level. Young children are now emulating his style, sprinting across local club fields with the hope of one day becoming the next Henry Pollock. Season‑ticket holders are buying seats specifically to watch him, and his presence has sparked both admiration and criticism.
"Some love him, some hate him, but everyone is talking about him. He’s only 21, yet he already embodies the future of rugby.
He has a unique chance to transform the game in this country and reignite public passion for the sport," Hearn asserted. According to Hearn, rugby is a sport steeped in tradition, rich history, and a strong sense of community.
Yet, he believes it must become more aspirational, offering clear pathways for young athletes to chase titles, build legacies, and secure substantial financial rewards. "We need to show youngsters that they can chase championships and leave a lasting imprint, and that there’s a lucrative future waiting for them in rugby," he said. One of the major obstacles to meeting Hearn’s salary expectations is the current £6.4 million salary cap imposed across Premiership Rugby (PREM). This cap limits each club to a single marquee player whose salary is exempt from the overall limit.
Hearn argues that this framework is fundamentally flawed and hampers the sport’s growth. "I despise the notion of a solitary marquee player," Hearn remarked. "The structure is completely wrong.
I’ll be meeting with PREM officials to explain why this approach is detrimental. Young players need to earn as much as possible; we shouldn’t be capping their potential." He further explained that restricting clubs’ ability to invest in top talent discourages owners from committing significant resources to the sport.
"If owners can’t build winning squads or sign high‑profile stars because of salary‑cap constraints, the league becomes far less attractive. We need to abandon the idea of limiting clubs to just one star. Instead, we should allow entire teams of elite players, which will draw more money into rugby, expand fan bases, and create a new generation of superstars." Hearn believes that a more flexible financial model would have a trickle‑down effect, benefiting the grassroots game.
Increased revenue would enable clubs to develop better facilities, attract better coaches, and provide higher wages for emerging talent. "More money in the sport means more superstars, bigger names, higher broadcast viewership, and ultimately, a hotter, more exciting product for fans," he concluded. In summary, Eddie Hearn is using Henry Pollock’s situation as a case study to argue for a radical overhaul of rugby’s compensation structure. By pushing for a £1 million‑a‑year deal for the 21‑year‑old flanker, he hopes to set a precedent that aligns player wages with their marketability and on‑field impact, thereby driving growth, attracting investment, and revitalising rugby union across all levels.