Northampton confident on Pollock contract talks

Northampton Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson says contract negotiations with England star Henry Pollock are progressing well, expressing confidence the club can secure a new deal for the 21-year-old despite public comments from the player's representative, Eddie Hearn, suggesting he is worth a salary of £1 million per year. Dowson emphasized that both the club and the player are committed to a future together, but acknowledged the need to find a "happy medium" that works within the team's financial structure. The discussion comes after Hearn, who signed Pollock to his Matchroom Talent Agency earlier this year, stated in an interview that the flanker is a "seven-figure player" who "cannot stay at this club on the money he's on." Pollock's current contract is reported to be worth approximately £150,000 annually and expires in the summer of 2027. Hearn's comments have sparked widespread speculation about a potential salary that would make Pollock one of the highest-paid players in English rugby. Dowson, speaking at the Gallagher Premiership launch on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, addressed the situation directly.