Saints' star Henry Pollock immortalised in wool

7 hours ago

Alex PopeNorthamptonshire

News image — You are indeed seeing Henry Pollock in double vision - just for clarification the knitted version is on the left

BBC/PA Media A composite image of Henry Pollock, with blond hair and black headband. He is wearing a rugby top and black shorts. The other image is a knitted version of him, with a long top on and black shorts. — You are indeed seeing Henry Pollock in double vision - just for clarification the knitted version is on the left

Northampton Saints' fan favourite Henry Pollock has been immortalised in woollen tributes ahead of his club's Prem final match.

The 21-year-old, known for his blond hair and black headband combo, will be taking to the field against Exeter at Twickenham on Saturday.

Northamptonshire Women's Institute (WI) has created a hat-trick of knitted tributes to the famous flanker.

Its federation chair, Christine Carr, said work started on them about a month ago "in anticipation" of Saints reaching the final, with Pollock chosen "because we could do his hair and make him outstanding".

Carroll Weston/BBC Three knitted versions of Henry Pollock, wearing the Saint rugby kit, with black, yellow and green strips. They all have blonde hair and a black hairband. They are placed on a blue sofa. — Three versions of Henry Pollock were created

Carr said: "I've sat in the evenings putting Henry Pollock's hair on."

She was assisted by Ollie Lyons, from East Hunsbury WI, and Carolyn Stone, of Hunsbury Hill WI.

Pollock came up through Saints' youth ranks and made his senior debut in 2022.

He became England's youngest try scorer in Six Nations history, aged 20, last year and also excelled in his club's semi-final win over East Midlands rivals Leicester.

Carroll Weston/BBC Christine Carr, wearing a white top, with short fair hair, and holding three knitted version of Henry Pollock. She is standing by a door, that is closed. — Christine Carr has been a keen knitter for about 15 years

Carr said she made her creation as life-like as possible.

"The only thing we haven't got is his mouth-guard," she added.

There is one larger 2ft (0.6m) version and a couple more at half that size.

The two smaller versions were dropped off at Saints' ground, Franklin's Gardens on Friday morning, with the wish of one being directly handed to Pollock.

"Everyone [at the club] wanted one so we've got a bit of a demand going on."

She said the remaining version would be kept as a WI memento.

"It will serve to show Saints' achievements and ours", she added.

There will be live text commentary of the Prem final on the BBC Sport website on Saturday as well as radio coverage from BBC Radio Northampton starting at 10:00 BST on BBC Sounds.

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