Lions head coach Andy Farrell gives Henry Pollock verdict as star has target on his back

Henry Pollock has been given a licence to thrill even if it means becoming public enemy number one down under. The Northampton back rower's meteoric rise continues on Saturday when he starts for the Lions against Western Force in Perth, at No.8, in their first match on Australian soil.

Pollock came off the bench for half an hour in the 28-24 defeat to Argentina last Friday but has been handed first crack at a Test spot and is certain to have a target on his back for the Aussie players and fans.

He was involved in a flashpoint at the end of Saints' Champions Cup final defeat to Bordeaux-Begles last month after winding up the French with his antics.

And the 20-year-old is certain to act as a lightning rod for Australian hecklers with his try celebrations and constant sledging of opponents like Ashes heroes of the past Douglas Jardine, Ian Botham and Stuart Broad.

But boss Andy Farrell has urged Pollock to carry on playing with a swagger and has even given the back row the thumbs-up to perform his basketball-style try-scoring celebrations.

Farrell, a Great Britain captain in league at 21, said: "We want him being himself. He's certainly not overawed and I love that. You want these kids to be themselves - you don't want a kid to go under the radar and in three weeks' time just settle into a side. You pick him for a reason. His character is infectious to everyone.

"You want them to be like that, but he's a humble kid as well. He doesn't think he's got it all, far from it, but you want people with confidence and belief.

"His point of difference is his ability to see things quickly and his line running is pretty good. His awareness of space and how sharp he is in his mind and his athletic abilities are up there with the other lads in the squad."

Pollock has taken to touring life like a duck to water and as the youngest player in the squad has to take tour mascot, cuddly Lion Bil, everywhere on the trip.

Wing Mack Hansen added: "People say he does things for the camera and all that, but from getting to know him I think, that's just him. He just loves it. He's just living his dream and he's like, [How good is this?'. So I don't think it's fake by any means. From getting to know him, he's just loving being here. He's 20 years old. Who would have thought...? He's been good. He's just been himself. That's the main message that Faz gives everyone and he's doing that."

Farrell has made 13 changes to his starting line-up with Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan handed the captaincy with tour skipper Maro Itoje rested.

Pollock starts ahead of Irishman Jack Conan, who is on the bench, and has a chance to shine as the first Test in Brisbane against the Wallabies is only three weeks away.

Elliot Daly, on his third tour, starts at full-back, and Finn Russell gets his first outing at fly-half partnering Wales' Tomos Williams at half-back.

Western Force v British & Irish Lions, 11am, Saturday, Sky Sports

Western Force: B.Donaldson; M.Grealy, M.Proctor, H.Stewart, D.Pietsch; A.Harford, N.White (capt); T.Robertson, B.Paenga-Amosa, O.Hoskins, S.Carter, D.Swain, W.Harris, N.Champion de Crespigny, V.Ekuasi

Replacements: N.Dolly, M.Pearce, T.Tauakipulu, L.Faifua, R.Prinsep, H.Robertson, M.Burey, B.Kuenzle

Lions: E.Daly; M.Hansen, G.Ringrose, S.Tuipulotu, J.Lowe; F.Russell, T.Williams; P.Schoeman, D.Sheehan (capt), T.Furlong, S.Cummings, J.McCarthy, T.Beirne, J.Van der Flier, H.Pollock

Replacements: R.Kelleher, A.Porter, W.Stuart, O.Chessum, J.Conan, A.Mitchell, H.Jones, M.Smith