Twelve months ago, Henry Pollock travelled to Dublin for Northampton’s Investec Champions Cup semi-final with Leinster as a non-playing squad member.

In his own words, the now breakthrough star of English rugby was ‘probably too busy thinking about where the next pint was going to be.’

This year, things are different.

Very, very different in fact.

Pollock has swapped academy status for senior England international and Northampton regular.

His rise to prominence has been simply astonishing and could yet culminate with a call to tour Australia with the Lions next week.

Henry Pollock will take on Leinster on Saturday as a very different player to 12 months ago

Pollock, still just 20, is now a senior England international and a key figure for Northampton

Pollock's try celebrations have marked him out as an individual to follow but have been divisive

Leinster vs Northampton key Lions head-to-heads

Sam Prendergast vs Fin Smith

Two 22-year-old No 10’s who had fine Six Nations campaigns. Prendergast is probably ahead of Smith in the Lions pecking order, especially given his Irish status and closeness to Andy Farrell. But a strong performance from Smith, even in a losing cause, could seal him a place on the plane. This could amount to a straight Lions shootout.

Josh van der Flier vs Henry Pollock

Van der Flier is a certain tourist. Pollock is not. But he is the epitome of a potential bolter and if he can standout against Leinster’s back-row, he can do so against anyone. Pollock’s physicality and work over the ball will be tested severely. But he has risen to every challenge that has been thrown his way so far. Why not this one too?

Jamison Gibson-Park vs Alex Mitchell

Two of the best scrum-halves about and nailed on starters for their respective clubs and countries. It is likely Gibson-Park will be Lions starting No 9 with Mitchell in reserve. They have played against each other a lot and both thrive on speed of ball. Gibson-Park plays behind the better pack which is likely to give him an advantage.

‘We got a flight at 5am on the Saturday morning which was a tough start,’ Pollock said, reliving his last trip over the Irish Sea.

‘We flew to Dublin and we were at Temple Bar at 9am.

‘We were there all day and then went to the watch the game.

'We went out in Dublin after. We left the club at three or four to get the taxi to the airport and the flight was at half five back to England. Sunday was pretty much a write-off.

‘There are a couple of stories I wouldn’t tell you. There were about 10 of us who went. It was one of the best weekends, one of those you didn’t plan for.

'Going to Croke Park as well was special.

'I was kind of awe of all of it, to be honest.’

Nothing phases Pollock now.

On Saturday, he will swap swilling pints of Guinness for the daunting challenge of the European juggernaut that is Leinster.

Instead of sitting in the stands, Pollock will go toe-to-toe with the likes of Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris.

This term, he has grown from callow youth to a player capable of rivalling the best.

Pollock speaks his mind off the field and expresses his character on it.

'Being annoying is part of my game,’ he said. ‘I want to wind the opposition up. I want to get under their skin.’

Pollock’s try celebrations, trademark black headband and straight talking have made him a new hero for young Northampton fans and a potential game changer for rugby.

God knows the game needs it.

Some have mistaken Pollock’s celebrations for arrogance and criticised his approach.

Last year, Pollock got drunk watching Northampton face Leinster. This time, he's on the pitch

‘I am just being myself,’ said the 20-year-old.

‘If you like it, you like it. If not, then I guess don’t watch it. If you look at football, there are lots of characters and big role models people want to go and watch.

‘Rugby is at a junction where it needs to do something new. There needs to be more characters in the game that kids or fans can warm to.’

Amen.

Pollock understands what the game needs off the field.

On it, his focus on Saturday has to be on upsetting Leinster - a team rammed full of Irish internationals and supplemented by global superstars Jordie Barrett and RG Snyman.

It is going to be a tough ask.

Pollock is an all-action back-row forward

Northampton fell three points short against the same team at the same stage last year.

As they attempt a revenge mission, Pollock and Northampton’s players and staff have been watching and taken confidence from a documentary on US baseball side Boston Red Sox, a team who refuse to be beaten.

Northampton are certainly underdogs.

Leinster are on home soil and are formidable. But Pollock and his team-mates pack a punch and an upset cannot be ruled out.

A number of potential Lions head-to-heads add an extra layer of interest to what is already a fascinating game. The Lions might come too soon for Pollock.

He is more likely to tour the Americas with England this summer.

But whatever happens, Pollock is set for a long career at rugby’s highest level.

He is among the nominees for European player of the year, reflecting his Champions Cup displays.

'I don’t want to go in my shell,’ said the man who marked his full England debut with two tries against Wales in the Six Nations.

'The last 12 months have come really fast and I am very grateful for all the opportunities. I didn’t really think about this last year.

'The Lions has been a popular question with all players at the minute.

'If the opportunity comes, I’d be over the moon and if it doesn’t, then I’m still young so I’ve still got time.'

Pollock celebrates after marking his England debut with two tries against Wales in Cardiff

Pollock's form for club and country has made him a potential bolter to tour with the Lions

Pollock continued: ‘Every game I play in, I want to be the best on the pitch. I want to strive to be better.

'You don’t go up against the best back-row in club rugby every day.

'I am relishing that opportunity. We are feeling confident.

'Leinster have world-class players who have played internationals for their country many times and competed in finals.

'It is going to be a good battle.’