England’s rising star Henry Pollock is openly entertaining the idea of taking his talents abroad or even switching to a completely different sport, while he continues to negotiate a fresh deal with the Gallagher Premiership champions, Northampton Saints. At 21, Pollock remains firmly committed to rugby, with talks for a new contract at the club already in an advanced stage. Yet, his ambitions extend beyond the pitch; he has recently aligned himself with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Talent Agency, a move that signals his desire to broaden his professional horizons.
"I definitely want to go and live in different countries, explore new sports, explore new avenues," Pollock declared in a recent interview. He explained that the Matchroom team is constantly in touch, presenting a variety of possibilities and encouraging him to keep an open mind.
"Eddie and the Matchroom crew are always messaging me, calling me about different avenues and they've been great with that kind of stuff. I'm not going to say no to any opportunity," he added. For now, rugby remains his top priority. "At the minute rugby is my main priority so I'm focusing on that in the near future, but as I said, you never know what's happening around the corner," Pollock said, underscoring his willingness to stay flexible while keeping his current sport front and centre.
Eddie Hearn, the boxing promoter who heads Matchroom, told Northampton in August that Pollock is "certainly a seven‑figure player" because of the commercial appeal he brings to the table. The promoter’s valuation of the young flanker at over £1 million has not unsettled Pollock. "I don't see it as pressure," he replied.
"I see it as him doing his job. He's the best sports promoter in the world. The reason he's the best is because he gets his client what he deserves." Pollock praised Hearn’s influence, noting that the promoter has opened doors that would otherwise have been out of reach. "Eddie's been great for me and he's given me so many avenues to get into.
The way that he can give me access to loads of different stuff has been amazing. I have no bad words about him.
The sport of rugby needs to change and hopefully this is a change," he said, hinting at a broader vision for the game’s evolution. Despite the myriad possibilities, the consensus remains that Pollock is close to committing to another stint with Northampton. The club has been described by the player as "special" – a place that has nurtured his growth from a junior prospect into a senior international.
Yet he also acknowledges that a professional career often demands "selfish" decisions to maximise personal development and financial security. "Northampton's been so great to me, I've been here my whole career and they've made me who I am.
For me to stay here would be so special," Pollock reflected. "Obviously, I know it's not as easy as that and I know there's lots of moving parts that come into play. I'm very open to new opportunities and I'm very open to exploring that." He emphasized the importance of timing, noting his youth gives him the luxury to weigh options carefully.
"I'm so young so I think it's only right that I assess those options and find the best decision for myself. Your career is so short that you look back on yourself and you almost regret not exploring new avenues, exploring different things," he explained. Pollock’s candidness about potentially being "selfish" in his career planning highlights a modern athlete’s mindset: balancing loyalty to a club with personal ambition and financial prudence.
"I think for me, you almost have to be quite selfish in that aspect, think what's right for you. If that is staying here, then that's great, I'll be here for however long.
If it's not, then I'll be open to new opportunities," he concluded. Beyond the immediate contract talks, Pollock’s partnership with Matchroom could see him dip his toes into other sporting arenas, perhaps even boxing, where Eddie Hearn’s influence is strongest.
The agency’s network spans entertainment, media, and sponsorship, offering Pollock a platform to cultivate a brand that transcends rugby. This could involve ambassadorial roles, television appearances, or even launching a personal fitness line. Moreover, the prospect of playing abroad aligns with a growing trend among English rugby talent seeking experience in the French Top 14, the Japanese league, or the emerging Major League Rugby in the United States.
Such moves often provide both financial rewards and exposure to different playing styles, which could enhance Pollock’s skill set and marketability. In summary, Henry Pollock stands at a crossroads where his immediate focus is securing a new deal with Northampton Saints, while simultaneously keeping the door ajar for international ventures and cross‑sport opportunities. His partnership with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Talent Agency equips him with the resources to explore these avenues without compromising his rugby commitments. Whether he remains at Northampton, heads to a foreign league, or even tries his hand at a different sport, Pollock’s pragmatic yet adventurous outlook suggests he will continue to shape his career on his own terms.