Former England coach Clive Woodward says rising star Henry Pollock needs to change his behaviour.
Pollock drew attention during England’s 48-46 defeat to France in the dramatic Six Nations finale, where his goading of the Paris crowd backfired spectacularly.
The 21-year-old loose forward is a lightning rod for opposition supporters and was constantly jeered at the Stade de France. He responded by gesturing towards and shushing fans after Tommy Freeman’s late try put England ahead.
However, a costly error from Pollock with a minute remaining paved the way for Thomas Ramos to slot the decisive penalty to win the match and championship for France.
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“I would definitely sit down Henry Pollock for more than a chat. All players have to do their talking on the pitch,” Woodward wrote in his Daily Mail column.
“Pollock’s baiting of the French crowd would have been fine if he had been on from the start and was delivering a world-class performance.
“But he hadn’t, and then he threw a silly pass which gave France the ball back, and from it Thomas Ramos’ penalty won them the game.
“He is a brilliant player and I would want the real Pollock in the team, but not the current one who is fast becoming a liability. That has to change and quickly.”
The 2003 World Cup-winning coach also highlighted England’s shortcomings off the tee, pointing to flyhalf Fin Smith’s missed conversions as a decisive factor in the defeat to France.
Smith landed just two of five attempts, with Marcus Smith taking over late in the match.
“England have to find a world-class goal-kicker. Last weekend they did not have one and France did. End of story,” Woodward wrote.
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
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