Pollock hails Fisilau as 'absolute animal' ahead of Premiership final No.8 duel

Henry Pollock has offered a generous but pointed assessment of Exeter Chiefs No.8 Greg Fisilau, calling him an “absolute animal” in the build-up to Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership final between Northampton Saints and Exeter Chiefs — a match that doubles as an audition for England’s No.8 shirt.

Both players were central figures in their respective semi-final victories last weekend. Pollock racked up 23 carries as Saints dismantled Leicester Tigers 45-31, while Fisilau delivered a staggering 29 tackles, 15 carries and a try in Exeter’s 26-27 comeback win over Bath — a performance that underlined why the 22-year-old is considered one of the most complete back-rows in the English game.

“Being in camp with Greg, he is an absolute legend of a bloke and an amazing player,” the 21-year-old Pollock said on the For the Love of Rugby podcast. “He played so well when they won down there at Bath last week. I’m excited to go up against him. He’s an absolute animal at the minute and he’s playing out of his skin.”

Despite the mutual respect, Pollock made clear the occasion is exactly the kind of challenge he craves. “This is where you want to be. You want to be challenging yourself against the best players and this is one of those games where we are going to be up against some of the best players in this league. We’re very excited.”

Both men were named in Steve Borthwick’s Six Nations squad earlier this year, though Fisilau is still awaiting his first senior England cap. Pollock, meanwhile, has already established himself as a fixture in Borthwick’s thinking — and his positional flexibility only strengthens that case.

When asked by host Ben Youngs which position he prefers, Pollock was deliberately open-ended. “I like getting my hands on the ball and, recently at Saints, that’s been at No.8. Getting into the game early is something I’ve been working on. I’m happy to play seven, eight or even on the wing if they need me to. I’m trying to learn lots of different things that can add to my game.”

That versatility — shared by Fisilau, who can also operate across the back-row — is precisely what Borthwick has been seeking as he builds a squad capable of adapting tactically. Whoever impresses most in Saturday’s final will have made a compelling case for the England jersey heading into the next international window.