Veteran Welsh referee Nigel Owens believes Henry Pollock risks getting the wrong kind of reputation if he doesn’t rein in his emotions.
Writing in his latest column for WalesOnline, Owens said Pollock’s showmanship caught his eye during Northampton’s defeat to Leicester Tigers last week.
The former Test referee stressed that rugby needs characters, but suggested Pollock’s celebrations were poorly timed.
“I was watching the game over the weekend and thought, ‘Oh, no. Now is not the time to be jumping up and down with the gum shield halfway out of your mouth enticing the opposition when you’re looking at a scoreboard that reflects poorly on your team.’
WATCH: Pollock picks fight with Saffa
“If I’d been reffing that game, then there would’ve been a stern, quiet word with him, I think.”
Owens, one of the most respected referees in the professional era, said he officiated some of rugby’s toughest competitors, but insisted they always knew where the line was.
“I refereed some of the toughest players there were to referee,” he wrote.
“Players that challenged you, and you had to really keep a close control on them.
“But they were never disrespectful.”
Owens made it clear that he rates Pollock highly.
“He’s certainly a great talent with the potential to become one of the game’s finest.”
Tensions are high in the East Midlands derby as Henry Pollock and Hanro Liebenberg get into it 👀#GallagherPREM | #PREMRugby pic.twitter.com/067A2YsYU6
— PREM Rugby (@premrugby) May 9, 2026
But he cautioned against placing the 20-year-old in the same bracket as established stars too soon.
“He needs to play a lot of caps for England, win things and be a regular starter in those games at international level.”
Pollock has emerged as one of England’s most exciting young forwards, and his swagger has already made him a talking point.
Owens has no issue with that.
“Rugby needs characters. Of course it does.”
Photo: David Rogers / Getty Images
