Northampton Saints manager Phil Dowson has addressed recent developments in contract talks with 21-year-old rugby player Henry Pollock, following comments from Eddie Hearn, who manages Pollock through his Matchroom agency. Pollock, considered one of the most promising talents in English rugby, signed with Hearn's agency earlier this year. Hearn recently expressed surprise that Pollock's current salary is around £150,000, with his contract set to expire next summer. Northampton is currently in discussions about offering Pollock a new deal, with both the player and the Premiership club aiming to reach a long-term agreement after their successful title-winning season last year. Dowson acknowledged that Hearn's recent comments were useful, noting that Hearn's role is to promote his client and seek better financial terms for him. He emphasized that Northampton wants to grow the sport of rugby and that Hearn can play a helpful role in that effort. However, Dowson stressed that the club must make decisions based on its budget and financial constraints. He mentioned that discussions are ongoing with agents, the club's management group, and other decision-makers to determine what can be afforded and how the team can be assembled within the budget. Hearn recently claimed that Pollock is worth at least £1 million per year, a figure that has drawn attention and debate. Dowson noted that while Hearn's comments have focused on the £1 million number, they also included Pollock's desire to win, to stay at Northampton Saints, and to continue playing with the current team. Dowson expressed support for these goals, stating that Pollock wants to remain with the club and that Northampton also wants to keep him, calling this a positive beginning to the negotiations. Northampton retained several key players during a major contracting period last season, though club captain George Furbank has since joined Harlequins. Dowson believes that the strong, close-knit team at Saints could help in retaining Pollock. He stated that talks are progressing well and that the club is still working to finalize a deal that satisfies both the player and the club.