Northampton chief lifts lid on Pollock contract negotiations with Hearn — SkimNews
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- Henry Pollock signed a multi-year extension with Northampton Saints on Tuesday worth £400,000 per year, ending months of speculation about his future at his boyhood club.
- Pollock became the first rugby union player to join Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Talent Agency at the start of the year, and Hearn told The Telegraph the 21-year-old is already worth more than £1 million and his value will 'skyrocket.'
- Phil Dowson expects more rugby players to follow Pollock's lead by working with high-profile promoters like Hearn, arguing the resulting headlines and social media engagement are 'positive for the game' and could attract more viewers and grassroots players.
- Dowson praised Hearn for raising both the game's and Pollock's profile and doing 'what an agent's supposed to do,' but clarified that a 'traditional rugby agent' handled rugby-specific contract elements while Hearn focused on marketing and extracurricular opportunities.
- Pollock has 13 England caps at age 21 and made five appearances for the British & Irish Lions during last year's tour of Australia, underscoring why both Saints and Hearn moved aggressively to secure his services.
- Dowson dismissed fan concerns that the negotiations dragged on, insisting there was 'no animosity' and that Pollock's clear desire to stay made the process straightforward once terms were reached.
Why it matters: At 21 with 13 England caps and a Lions tour already on his CV, Pollock is exactly the kind of figure rugby union needs to grow commercially — and Hearn's involvement signals a cross-sport talent market opening up. Dowson's explicit blessing of the arrangement, despite Hearn pushing hard on price, sets a template other clubs and players may soon follow.
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