Saints boss Dowson gives his take on Pollock signing with Hearn's talent agency

Pollock last week signed for Hearn's Matchroom Talent Agency, becoming just the second sportsman on their books as he followed in the footsteps of UFC star Tom Aspinall.

Hearn described Pollock as 'golden' and tipped the 21-year-old to be a game-changer for rugby union as a whole.

The promoter is ready to raise the Saints back row forward's profile off the field even further, bidding to truly bring him into the mainstream.

And the new partnership is something Dowson only has positive things to say about.

"I think it's not to be unexpected because Henry's broken through on lots of different levels and he's going to be represented by somebody who has a huge sway in international sport and in the media," the Saints boss said.

"I don't think it's hugely unexpected that somebody would pick up Henry and I think it will be good for the sport.

"We've seen the likes of Red Bull coming in (at Newcastle), (James) Dyson investing in Bath and rugby's on a bit of a high, which Henry has driven some of himself and it will be interesting to see where that relationship goes."

Dowson added: "He (Pollock) has been hugely explosive on and off the field, and people have really responded and interacted with the game, which is hugely positive.

"Now he's going to go to another level with Eddie Hearn.

"Henry's more than happy to hype himself up and it's good for the sport because it gets people talking.

"You've got someone who's from a non-rugby background (Hearn) who's going to get involved and that can only be a positive thing to get eyeballs on the sport, to grow it, to make it more exciting and to bring different people into it."

Hearn insisted he would ensure England and British & Irish Lions star Pollock remain focused on on-field matters while promoting him off the pitch.

And Dowson said: "All players on the international radar are wanted by sponsors and they've got to balance that up. They've got to balance up the off-field opportunities with the on-field performance.

"If you're performing on the field, those things off the field will always be there and will only increase.

"If you're not performing on the field, it can very quickly dissipate. Henry's not stupid, he knows that.

"He knows he's got to make sure he gets his rugby right first and then we'll try to help him balance out what he does off the field in regards to his other interests."

Pollock shone in Saints’ 21-17 Gallagher PREM win against Saracens at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last Saturday.

And Dowson said: “I thought he played very well. He was in amongst it.

"There's always things he can improve on, but his level was very, very strong.”