**Lions Newcomer Henry Pollock Nearly Lands Immediate Fine as Team Banter Revealed in Camp Footage**
British & Irish Lions rookie Henry Pollock has found himself at the centre of camp intrigue after a light-hearted, yet tense, moment during the early days of the squad’s pre-tour training. Cameras in camp, rolling for a behind-the-scenes documentary, captured the English 20-year-old grappling with a time-honoured Lions tradition—and a potential breach that nearly cost him a fine, much to his apparent distress.
Pollock, who has recently become the youngest player selected for Andy Farrell’s 2025 Lions squad to tour Australia, was handed an important, if quirky, responsibility on his first week in Portugal. As every Lions group does, the squad passed down the custodianship of their plush mascot, a toy lion affectionately named ‘BiL’, for safe-keeping throughout the campaign. The obligation is both a rite of passage and a source of amusement, but it is also governed by strict rules—something Pollock would swiftly come to realise.
The duty was formally bestowed by team captain Maro Itoje, who knows the mascot tradition well, having himself been the designated minder of BiL during the 2017 tour. Itoje did not mince his words, instructing Pollock, “You must have this with you at all times—at training, in camp, wherever you go. If BiL goes missing, that’s an immediate fine. Only exception: when you’re on social duty.” Itoje cheekily concluded by likening the mascot to a “new girlfriend,” underscoring the expectation of constant attention.
Despite the clarity of the guidelines, Pollock found himself in hot water almost straight away. During one of the team’s training sessions, Pollock brought BiL along as instructed, but apparently left the toy unsupervised near a cameraman before immersing himself in training drills. This innocent oversight coincided with the arrival of Ireland’s Bundee Aki, who, living up to his reputation as the squad’s resident joker, decided to hide the mascot behind a pile of mats and gym gear.
The moment was captured in the first episode of the new Lions series, “The Ultimate Test”, which showcases the unique personalities and rituals that define the tour. As Pollock returned to the sidelines, accompanied by Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams, confusion set in. Williams queried, “You’ve lost it?”, to which Pollock sheepishly replied, “I don’t know, I just went back and it wasn’t there.”
As the panic escalated, Pollock found himself explaining the situation to other team-mates, including fellow Englishman Alex Mitchell, who reminded him of his obligation to keep tabs at all times. Moments later, suspicion fell on Aki, with Pollock pointing directly at the Irish centre and exclaiming, “You!” Aki, feigning wide-eyed innocence, shot back, “That’s a strong accusation!”
Fortunately for Pollock, the prank only lasted a few tense moments. The toy lion was soon recovered and seen securely in the young Englishman’s care throughout later activities, successfully sparing him a financial penalty on this occasion. The mishap is part of a long tradition within the Lions, where being responsible for BiL (and previously, the mascot Leo) is both a running joke and a rite that brings a unique camaraderie to the squad.
Past custodians of the mascot have included names like Wales’ Louis Rees-Zammit in 2021, Maro Itoje in 2017, and Scotland’s Stuart Hogg in 2013—who once revealed that BiL’s mane aggravated his allergies. The tradition stretches back to legends such as Leigh Halfpenny and Jonny Wilkinson, making it a quirky, cherished part of Lions history.
These light-hearted incidents not only offer a glimpse into the tight-knit world of the Lions camp but also reaffirm just how much the squad values bonding and rituals alongside their fierce commitment to rugby excellence. While the stakes on the field remain high, moments like these ensure that the journey to Australia is every bit as memorable as the matches they prepare for.
For Pollock, the episode serves as both a valuable lesson in squad customs and a sign that the camaraderie—and gentle ribbing—of Lions tours is alive and well. With the tour only just getting underway, all eyes will be on the young Lion to see if he can keep a firmer grip on BiL as the team’s Australian adventure looms.