Henry Pollock may be poised to become the subject of a cross-code rugby bidding war, with Super League clubs closely tracking the union flanker as questions mount over his future at Northampton Saints, City AM can reveal.

The 21-year-old has developed into one of English rugby's most prominent figures, reportedly earning around £150,000 per year with Premiership Rugby champions Northampton Saints. That figure sits well below the ceiling for top earners in the 15-man code, where the Premiership's senior salary cap has historically constrained even the biggest clubs from offering marquee deals comparable to those in French rugby's Top 14. Since signing with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Talent Agency — a group best known for its dominance in boxing promotion — speculation regarding Pollock's next move has intensified.

Hearn has publicly asserted that Pollock — who toured with the British and Irish Lions in 2025 — should command a salary of £1 million annually, a figure that would place him among the highest-paid players in his position worldwide and dwarf the typical wages available under Premiership Rugby's squad-cost limits. Such a substantial increase has put rugby league clubs on alert.

Super League Interest

One Super League club executive, who noted a longstanding relationship with the Hearn family, expressed admiration for Pollock "and in particular his off-field profile."

Super League clubs benefit from salary cap dispensations when signing union players who have never competed professionally in the 13-man code. With Super League's own salary cap operating at a lower baseline than the Premiership's, this dispensation mechanism effectively allows clubs to acquire a high-profile cross-code signing without it counting against their limited squad wage bill — a mechanism that could facilitate a high-profile switch and potentially usher in a new era for rugby league in England, particularly with prospective investment from Australia's NRL on the horizon.

"We'd get a free hit on the salary cap due to dispensations for union players," the chief executive added.

Precedent exists for such cross-code moves. Wigan Warriors signed Christian Wade from Gloucester Rugby on a short-term deal last year before the winger returned to union with Newcastle Red Bulls. Warrington Wolves previously fielded former England union centre Luther Burrell during the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

Dublin Expansion

Separately, Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors are scheduled to travel to Dublin next year for a regular-season Super League fixture in the Irish capital.

Warrington Wolves CEO Karl Fitzpatrick described the move as "another landmark moment for our club, for Super League and for the sport of rugby league."

"Following the success of the Las Vegas and Paris projects, and the appetite shown for taking our game to new audiences, Dublin is the perfect next destination," Fitzpatrick said. "It is a world-class sporting city with a proven track record of hosting major events and provides another outstanding opportunity to showcase our sport on the big stage."

While rugby league's global revenues trail those of its cross-code counterpart, the combination of salary cap dispensations and a financially robust Australian NRL market could present a lucrative short-term opportunity for Pollock, who may also harbour ambitions of competing at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, where rugby sevens — the abbreviated format distinct from both union and league — has been an Olympic medal sport since its 2016 debut in Rio.

Despite the mounting interest, Hearn has indicated that Pollock remains committed to staying at Northampton Saints.