Henry Pollock plays ‘matchmaker’ as Eddie Hearn signs the ‘Messi of rugby’ to his talent agency

Eddie Hearn announced that he had signed Henry Pollock to his Matchroom Talent Agency at the end of March.

The England international is considered one of the biggest rising stars in rugby and will now be guided by boxing promoter Hearn.

Pollock is quickly becoming one of the most recognisable faces in rugby, with the Northampton Saints and England star becoming the pantomime villain to many, and he seems to be embracing this role, as seen in his recent performances against France and Bath.

While this could be a door-opening chance for the young rugby star, he appeared to not know the name of the agency that he had just signed up to as he incorrectly stated that he was now a part of the ‘matchmaking’ agency while in a post-match interview with TNT Sports.

The 21-year-old apologised to Hearn for the blunder, but he appears to have played ‘matchmaker’ with Hearn’s third signing for the Matchroom Talent Agency to join Pollock and Tom Aspinall.

In a now-viral clip, Pollock and Hearn are in conversation over the phone with the rugby star apologising for his blunder but promising to make it up to the boxing promoter by bringing him Finn Russell to the agency.

Russell is arguably the best fly-half in the world at the minute, and his signature demonstrates Hearn’s desire to get among the recent investment into British rugby.

The Scottish international famously called himself the ‘Messi of rugby’ in the Netflix series ‘Six Nations: Full Contact', and it could be argued he has lived up to that billing while wearing the number 10, as he always gets fans out of their seats with his ability with the ball in hand and then his quality from the boot.

Rugby appears to be getting a fresh injection of investment as Newcastle were recently acquired by Red Bull to become Newcastle Red Bulls, a move which has seen the club undergo a dramatic transformation and spending spree ahead of next season.

Meanwhile, Exeter Chiefs are on the verge of a takeover by an American consortium, with Bath and Northampton having significant investments of their own in recent months.

Hearn appears to be seeing the way the tide is turning with British rugby, and to sign both Pollock and Russell to his Matchroom Talent Agency is a real statement of intent by the promoter.