Former England flanker Maggie Alphonsi believes "fearless" Henry Pollock will be a fan favourite on the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour.

Pollock had played just one Premiership game before the start of this season, but has risen to prominence on the international stage after a remarkable rise this term.

He scored his first Premiership try for Northampton in January, before crossing over to help them to a historic victory in the Champions Cup semi-finals last month.

Pollock received his first England call-up ahead of the Six Nations and scored two tries off the bench in his senior debut in a 68-14 win over Wales in the final round.

At 20, Pollock is the youngest member of the squad, and Alphonsi, who made 74 appearances for England in an 11-year career, would not be surprised to see him start for the Lions.

"Do you know what? Never say never [to Pollock starting]. I think everyone talks about the easy part is selection, isn't it? The hardest part is actually getting into your Test team," she told Stats Perform.

"He's someone who's like, fearless. That's what I love about when I watch him. When he plays for Northampton, he pretends he doesn't care; he just plays.

"When he played for England and got his opportunities there, he again just plays. To be able to start for England and to score, try, he's one character. I think he'll be the fans' favourite. You get that in lots of Lions tours, people who just want to watch and see how they do.

"He's going to be one of the standouts, but if I look at that back row, I mean, all selections are going to be challenging, but that back row combination there's some real there's depth there.

"Tom Curry's been brilliant for England, Josh van der Fleer another good one, and then you look at what rotation they're going to want at six, eight, it all has an impact, but I really hope he gets, first obviously opportunities to play, but then also test a Test chance, but there's a lot of rugby to play so we'll see."

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Jamie Roberts, a former Wales centre, also expects Pollock to stake a claim on a starting spot, heaping praise on his performances so far this year.

"If he shows good enough form, I think for Andy Farrell, his first message to that squad is everyone's going to have a chance to stake their claim for the Test matches," he said.

"And look, he is an unbelievable rugby player. For a young man, he's 20 years old, to deliver the performances he has at the highest level in the club and Test, then he deserves his place. If you're good enough, you're old enough for me.

"The enthusiasm of youth that he's going to bring on that tour is special. I'm super excited for him, and huge congratulations to Henry. He thoroughly deserves his spot. Can't wait to see him shine."

The Lions have not faced Australia on tour since 2013, when they came away with a 2-1 series victory. In fact, their last two series wins have both come against the Wallabies.

However, that victory in 2013 is their only Test series win this century, having lost four and tied the other with New Zealand in 2017.

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The Wallabies endured a dismal Rugby Championship last year, winning just one of their matches, but did beat England and Wales in autumn internationals, while losing to Scotland and Ireland.

Despite Australia's recent struggles, Roberts warned that it is best not to count them out, especially on home soil.

"This tour will not be easy, by a long shot," he said. "I think there was a lot of chat maybe a year or two ago that Australia were in a difficult place.

"For me, what's most impressive about Australia is how steep their resurgence has been. They've gone from being a real dark place to becoming serious operators under Joe Schmidt. They've always had the quality; it's about how they've channelled it in the right way.

"You're playing against Australia in Australia. For any sport, it's never easy. Yes, it's a privilege to tour, yes, it's a golden opportunity, it's a chance of a lifetime, but it's not easy to win a Test Series, and that is the challenge facing these players.

"There will be a lot of pressure, the eyes of the sporting world will be on these players and, you know, for me that would excite me more than anything as a player, the chance to go and make history, go back to back down, and I wish Andy Farrell, Mauro [Itoje] and the whole squad nothing but the best."

And Brian O'Driscoll, who captained the Lions on their 2005 tour of New Zealand, was just as wary.

"I think the Wallabies are much improved," he said. "Obviously, what we saw in November, particularly in the England game, is that they have lots of firepower, and they will be good, I guarantee it.

"Joe Schmidt, my old coach, will have them humming. They're a proud nation; they're not going to roll over at home. So, I anticipate it will be nothing like the landslide that some people are anticipating."