Exclusive: Rugby League monitoring Henry Pollock amid £1m Hearn wage demands
Henry Pollock could find himself at the centre of a rugby bidding war with top flight league clubs monitoring the union star amid uncertainty over his future, Morning Wire can reveal.
The 21-year-old flanker has emerged as one of England rugby’s most popular players, earning a reported £150,000 per year at Prem Rugby champions Northampton Saints.
But since joining Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Talent Agency, noise surrounding his future has increased.
Hearn recently stated that the youngster, who toured with the British and Irish Lions in 2025, should be on £1m per year – a move that would make him one of the world’s best-paid players in his position.
The unlikely wage hike means the Englishman could be on the move, and rugby league clubs are monitoring the situation.
Pollock bidding war
One Super League club, whose chief says he has a long standing relationship with the Hearn family, said he was a big fan of Pollock “and in particular his off-field profile.”
Super League clubs get wriggle room on wages if they sign union players that have never played the 13-man code professionally, and the move could help kick-start a new era of rugby league in England, with likely NRL investment looming.
The chief executive added: “We’d get a free hit on the salary cap due to dispensations for union players.”
Wigan Warriors last year signed Christian Wade from Gloucester Rugby for a short stint before the winger switched back to union to play for Newcastle Red Bulls.
Warrington Wolves have previously fielded former England union centre Luther Burrell between 2019 and 2020.
Over the sea
Wolves and Warriors will be heading to Dublin to play a regular season Super League game in the Irish capital next year.
Warrington Wolves CEO Karl Fitzpatrick said: “This is another landmark moment for our club, for Super League and for the sport of rugby league.
“Following the success of the Las Vegas and Paris projects, and the appetite shown for taking our game to new audiences, Dublin is the perfect next destination.
“It is a world-class sporting city with a proven track record of hosting major international events and provides another outstanding opportunity to showcase our sport on the big stage.”
Rugby league’s global finances fall short of their cross-code rival, but dispensation and a booming Australian NRL could be seen as a short-term money maker for Pollock, who could also be targeting an appearance at the 2028 Olympic Games in LA.
Hearn has stated that Pollock is keen to remain at Northampton Saints.