Henry Pollock named as fastest player in the Prem by England teammate - Ruck
England Rugby News Six Nations 2026

Henry Pollock named as fastest player in the Prem by England teammate

3 February 2026
Charlie Elliott

Tommy Freeman has revealed who he believes is the fastest player in the Prem– and it might surprise a few people.

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The Northampton Saints back was speaking in Girona this week after being named at outside centre for England’s opening Six Nations clash with Wales on Saturday. Steve Borthwick confirmed his matchday squad during England’s warm-weather training camp, with Freeman switching roles from the wing to the midfield.

While his own move infield has sparked plenty of discussion, it was Freeman’s assessment of raw pace in the Prem that really caught the ear. Asked who he thought would come out on top in a hypothetical pre-season foot race, Freeman didn’t hesitate in naming a familiar face.

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“I wouldn’t want to be involved. I definitely wouldn’t want to race even Pollock. I think Henry is the quickest player in the Prem. Him and [Louis] Rees-Zammit would be a good one. I think Rees-Zammit has the range to go to maybe 400m but Henry might have burnt him over the first 20. I’m telling you Pollock wouldn’t be far off.”

Pollock’s rise over the last year has been nothing short of remarkable. After an injury to Alex Dombrandt opened the door, he was called into the senior England squad for the first time ahead of the 2025 Six Nations opener against Ireland.

He made an immediate impact, scoring twice off the bench in a 68–14 win over Wales in March 2025, becoming the youngest try-scorer in England’s Six Nations history. He followed that up with another try against Australia in the Autumn Nations Series and capped the year with a World Breakthrough Player of the Year nomination.

Now heading into the 2026 Championship full of confidence, 21-year-old Pollock is set to make his impact from the bench this weekend – and, according to Freeman, few players in the league can live with his acceleration.

Freeman also spoke at length about another speedster in the England setup, Henry Arundell, who is set to start on the wing for the first time at Test level since the 2023 World Cup after returning from a stint with Racing 92. Arundell reminded everyone of his explosive pace in the autumn, coming off the bench against Fiji and finishing a trademark long-range try.

Speaking about Arundell, Freeman said: “I think attributes-wise, his speed and power are ridiculous. I thought I was quick, relatively, but Manny [Immanuel Feyi-Waboso] and him…. We go about supporting on the inside a lot but you’re about 10 metres behind these guys, they are properly rapid. It’s genius I’ve come to the middle now because having the pace to be a winger is tough.

“But these guys have got massive amounts of strength and Henry loves that running game, that attacking threat but his physical side on the defensive side has improved through the roof. His competing in the air, how he can bring his explosiveness, he’s very powerful and can jump pretty high.. He’s been using that strength and getting a lot of balls back for us. I think his all-round game has improved massively.”

With Pollock’s pace regularly raising eyebrows and hybrid players seemingly set to be key in rugby going forward, Freeman was also asked whether the Saints flanker could realistically make the jump into the backline.

“I mean no…I think pace is pace and I think naturally with the way we play at Saints we have that shape with them being on the edge and Josh Kemeny as well. He’s a good athlete on the edge as well. In phase play, he could probably be pretty good in that space and take people on.

“I think the obviously the winger role now is hugely different and you have got to have an aerial ability, defensively it is a real tough place to defend. If we stuck him on the wing, he would probably get found out a few times. Obviously, he would have the pace to make up for it or do something mental.”

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