Jeremy Guscott has urged Steve Borthwick to start Henry Pollock after consigning him to the England bench for the majority of the youngster’s international career so far.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed a meteoric rise, going from age-grade rugby to British and Irish Lion tourist inside 12 months.
Pollock has since established himself at Test level and is a regular in the Red Rose 23, but he is currently seen as an impact player.
Only England start
He has made just one start – against Ireland in the Six Nations – with the rest of his 13 caps coming as a replacement.
However, considering his excellence when on the field, there have been plenty of calls for Borthwick to give him more of a chance in the XV.
Guscott is one of those with the England legend telling the Telegraph: “He is awesome. Yes, I would start him.”
The former centre also claimed that Pollock is “one of the most gifted players we have ever seen as a seven, as a modern-day back-rower.”
Guscott is not much of a fan of his on-field antics, though, with the Northampton Saints loose forward proving a divisive figure with how he conducts himself.
“The gestures are personally not for me but other people like it,” he said. “For me, it does not show the greatest sportsmanship,” he said.
Pollock featured in all three Nations Championship fixtures in July as England responded to their defeat to the Springboks by overcoming Fiji and Argentina.
There is a certain amount of discontent among fans, however, who believe that they should be doing far better with the talent available to Borthwick.
Guscott appears to agree and wants to see the head coach be more adventurous.
“I think for England to properly succeed at the next World Cup, Borthwick needs to let Lee Blackett have more of an influence,” he said.
“We’ve not seen the Blackett imprint yet, other than in the first half against Argentina and against France. If we don’t see it soon then what’s the point in having him there?”
‘Staggering’ omission
Guscott is also surprised by some other selection calls with Borthwick’s continued decision to omit Max Ojomoh especially bemusing for the former centre.
“A big decision for me is Max Ojomoh. He played that game for England, against Argentina last autumn, he was player of the match, and he has not had another minute since. I find that staggering,” he added.
“The data only says what has happened – it categorically cannot predict the future. If someone is playing well, pick them.”