Henry Pollock left England coaches stunned with 'freakish' gym lifts
Rugby NewsThursday, 02 April 2026 at 09:39
Henry Pollock, the dynamic Northampton Saints back-rower and emerging England talent, is making waves not only on the field but also in the gym—posting eye-catching numbers that have stunned even veteran coaches.
“It’s been crazy—I’m just trying to soak it all in, enjoy the moment, and keep loving my rugby,” Pollock said.
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“I’ve got a great family unit around me and I always look to them and friends whenever I’m on my own or in a dark space.”
He’s fully focused on his development now, saying: “I’m just working hard and giving everything to my rugby now, no distractions. I’m trying to put more muscle on, working on attack and defence, and across my whole game. I’m definitely not the finished article, so there’s definitely more to come.”
“My goal is clear,” he added. “I’m here to play Test rugby, that’s what I’m pushing for, but I’m also trying to enjoy the journey and just take in all the moments that come with being a Lion.”
Pollock’s obsession with self-improvement is no secret. Those who’ve worked closely with him all speak to the same thing: a relentless drive to improve and an unmatched intensity in training.
Jason Sivil, Northampton’s strength and conditioning coach, has seen that first-hand. “He always wants more, always wants another challenge. All Henry wants to do is push himself further and harder,” said Sivil.
That mentality is backed up by eye-popping gym numbers. Pollock has bulked up to over 100kg, can squat 230kg for three reps, and bench press 150kg.
His aerobic engine is equally terrifying – he recently smashed the Bronco test in just 4 minutes and 25 seconds, a time that would make even the fittest internationals take notice.
With that combination of raw power, elite fitness, and an unshakeable mindset, it’s no wonder coaches and fans alike are tipping Pollock as one of the next big things in Test rugby. And if you ask him, he’s only just getting started.
Strongest Rugby Players in the World (Updated 2026 Ranking)
From monstrous bench presses to jaw-dropping squats, here’s an updated look at the strongest current players in the game.
12. Andrew Porter – 350kg (Squat)
Most players boast bench press numbers, but Ireland’s Andrew Porter is in a league of his own when it comes to lower-body power. His reported 350kg squat borders on elite powerlifting territory. That raw leg drive explains why he remains one of the most destructive scrummagers in world rugby with Leinster and Ireland.
11= Manu Tuilagi – 190kg (Bench Press)
Few centres combine brute strength and explosiveness like Tuilagi. His 190kg bench press reflects the ferocity he brings to contact. Now playing in France, he remains one of the most physically imposing midfielders when fit.
11= Ben Tameifuna – 190kg (Bench Press)
At around 150kg, Tameifuna is a human wrecking ball. His 190kg bench press complements his devastating scrummaging power for club and country.
10. Asafo Aumua – 195kg (Bench Press)
The Hurricanes and All Blacks hooker made headlines after posting a 195kg bench press in preseason. Explosive, dynamic, and still in his 20s, Aumua represents the modern hybrid of strength and athleticism.
9= Rory Sutherland – 200kg (Bench Press)
A British & Irish Lion with a 200kg bench, Sutherland’s gym strength mirrors his relentless work in the scrum.
9= Nicky Smith – 200kg (Bench Press)
The former weightlifter’s 200kg bench press underpins his technical excellence at loosehead for club and country.
7. Max Lahiff – 210kg (Bench Press)
Lahiff’s 210kg bench puts him among the elite gym performers in the Premiership. His raw power and versatility make him one of the league’s most feared scrummagers.
6. Biyi Alo – 220kg (Bench Press)
With a reported 220kg bench press, Alo’s upper-body strength is extraordinary. Few outside the international arena can match that level of pressing power.
5= WillGriff John – 230kg (Bench Press)
WillGriff John’s casually mentioned 230kg bench press remains one of the biggest numbers publicly stated by a current pro.
5= Gheorghe Gajion – 230kg (Bench Press)
Dubbed the “Beast from the East,” Gajion matches the 230kg mark. Representing Moldova and Romania, his freakish strength is legendary in European club rugby.
3. Eben Etzebeth – 275kg (Squat, reported) / 190kg+ (Bench)
The Springbok enforcer is renowned for his monstrous physicality. Etzebeth has been reported to squat around 270–275kg and bench close to 190kg. At 6'8" and over 120kg, he combines elite lock mobility with front-row-level strength — a terrifying combination that has helped South Africa dominate collisions for over a decade.
2. Tadhg Furlong – 240kg (Bench Press, reported)
Furlong’s gym numbers are the stuff of legend in Irish rugby circles, with reports of a 240kg bench press at his peak. His ability to combine brute strength with remarkable handling skills makes him one of the most complete tightheads in modern rugby.
1. Taniela Tupou – 250kg+ (Bench Press, reported)
“The Tongan Thor” is widely believed to have benched 250kg or more during his peak powerlifting phases. At around 135kg and explosively athletic, Tupou may well be the most powerful current prop in world rugby.
Quiz: Can you all of the Guinness Six Nations winning captains?
In the storied history of Rugby's Greatest Championship, exceptional leaders have emerged—warriors of various forms, be they agile half-backs, towering second rows, or fearless flankers.
Our latest quiz invites you to identify those who have captained their nations to Guinness Six Nations glory. It's worth noting that in certain instances, there may be multiple captains from the same year due to factors such as injuries and rotation.
Surnames only will be accepted.
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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