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The 21-year-old was filmed making gestures and shushing fans from England’s team bus
England have defended Henry Pollock after the divisive back-row was filmed making dismissive gestures towards Argentina supporters in Buenos Aires just before the two countries met in the World Cup semi-final.
A video circulating on social media showed Pollock sat on England’s team bus on Wednesday, shushing the local supporters and making other gestures as the vehicle pulled away. However, England head coach Steve Borthwick insisted the Northampton flanker was simply being “good natured”.
Following Argentina’s dramatic victory over England in Atlanta on Wednesday night, relations between the two nations are tense.
Members of England’s rugby squad in Buenos Aires have been warned not to venture outside of their hotel.
That didn’t stop Pollock responding to some goading from some Argentine football fans – with one hitting the team bus as it passed through he streets.
However, Borthwick – who has once again left the 21-year-old out of his starting side – played down the actions of the British and Irish Lion.
“I think it was good natured and came from a good place,” said Borthwick. “We want character in our game and Henry’s full of character.
“We’ve got some players who wouldn’t do that and then you’ve got Henry who would go and do that. Argentina are a very proud nation, as we are.
“Our players are very proud of our football and rugby teams. So I think it was good natured.”
Borthwick did admit that Pollock wasn’t thrilled to once again miss out on a starting place in his side, despite scoring a hat-trick off the bench against Fiji last week.
“We’ve had a number of conversations now because he’s definitely expressed his desire to start,” said Borthwick.
“He was disappointed not to be starting this week because he’s competitive and he wants to be in that starting back row. He trained in a manner that showed his disappointment.
“[But] to win games at this level, it’s 80 minutes and the impact you have off the bench can be huge. When there’s fatigue in the game and there’s space, his skill set can really be shown.
“So I value the people who finish the game as equally as the people who start.”
Pollock, who made his Test debut in last year’s Six Nations, has only stated one Test for England – having to make do with bench appearances in the remainder of his appearances.
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