Henry Pollock has signed with Matchroom Talent Agency as the UK-based agency expands beyond combat sports into rugby union.
The England international and Northampton Saints flanker has joined Matchroom Talent Agency alongside representation from Stellar Rugby. The move forms part of the agency’s expansion into sports outside its traditional focus on boxing and mixed martial arts.
Pollock, aged 21, was named Premiership Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year in 2025 and holds the record as the youngest England try-scorer in Six Nations history. He has also represented England at youth level, contributing to the Under-20 Rugby World Cup win in 2024.
Matchroom Talent Agency, led by Eddie Hearn, has previously focused on combat sports talent, including partnerships with athletes such as UFC heavyweight Tom Aspinall. Pollock’s signing reflects a broader strategy to build a multi-sport talent roster within the UK and international markets.
Henry Pollock said, “I’m delighted to be joining forces with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Talent Agency alongside Stellar Rugby, at such an exciting stage in my career,” Pollock said in the release.
“Their experience and vision in the global sports market make them the perfect partners to help me grow both on and off the field, and I’m looking forward to what we can all achieve together.”
Eddie Hearn added, “I watched this kid, and I immediately thought: Superstar,” H “I honestly believe he can singlehandedly ignite this sport, and I am delighted to welcome him to the Matchroom family.
FotMob has been confirmed as the Official Live Score Partner for the 2026 Sidemen Charity Match at Wembley Stadium.
The partnership covers the sold-out fixture on 18th April, where Sidemen FC will play YouTube Allstars to raise funds for UK charities.
FotMob will provide live statistics, commentary, player ratings and host the Player of the Match vote exclusively through its app, using data powered by Opta.
The event will receive full match coverage similar to professional competitions, including metrics such as expected goals, match momentum and heatmaps. FotMob branding will also appear on LED perimeter boards at Wembley Stadium and during the live broadcast.
The Sidemen Charity Match has raised more than £8.5m for UK charities since 2016, including NSPCC, YoungMinds, CALM, Teenage Cancer Trust, BBC Children in Need and Bright Side. The 2025 edition raised over £4.7m and attracted more than 20 million views on YouTube.
The 2026 match sold out in under two hours, following its first staging at Wembley Stadium in 2025.
The collaboration between FotMob and the Sidemen began in 2022, with the app providing detailed match coverage for the creator-led event.
The Sidemen Charity Match 2025 is shortlisted for the Event of the Year in association with Marsh Sport, while the Sidemen are shortlisted for The Content Creator of the Year Award at The 25th Sport Industry Awards.
Stuart Jones, Founder and Director of Upload Agency, which represents the Sidemen said, “FotMob is the ultimate matchday companion for our teams of creators and millions of football fans around the world. This partnership further validates the event’s credibility, with FotMob providing the same comprehensive coverage it employs for top-tier leagues and competitions globally. Players and fans alike are consumed with FotMob’s live stats and insights – driving incredible audience engagement as they share and debate the data in real-time throughout the game.”
The TCS London Marathon has named Vaseline as its official nipple protector ahead of the 2026 event.
The one-year partnership aims to tackle chafing, one of the most common friction-related issues faced by endurance runners. As part of the agreement, Vaseline will support participants during race week with product access at the TCS London Marathon Running Show.
The brand’s products will also be available on the course during the marathon, helping runners to stay protected throughout the 26.2-mile race.
Nathalia Amadeu, Global Brand Director Vaseline, said, “For decades, the running community has relied on Vaseline Jelly to protect skin from chafing – a verified hack. As more people take on endurance events like the TCS London Marathon, we’re proud to spotlight this simple solution. As Official Nipple Protector of the TCS London Marathon, we’re proud to support runners so they can focus on the finish line, while we handle the friction.”
Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events, said, “Anyone who has taken part in an endurance event like the TCS London Marathon will be aware of the threat of chafing to sensitive areas of skin. And while injuries such as a runner’s nipple might sound funny, they can also be very painful which is why we are delighted to welcome Vaseline as the Official Nipple Protector of the TCS London Marathon.”
Manchester United have partnered with official logistics partner DHL Express to deliver a professional-grade football pitch to a remote community in Thailand.
As part of its ‘Delivering Dreams’ campaign, DHL delivered the all-weather facility to Mae Suek, a geographically isolated region where over 85% of the population are Manchester United supporters. The community previously struggled for safe sporting facilities due to extreme weather and mountainous terrain.
The new pitch will provide over 1,000 students from two schools and three neighbouring villages with daily access to training facilities. Manchester United legend Patrice Evra was on hand to lead the first training session on the new surface.
Sports entertainment agency 50 Sport conceived and executed the campaign.
Patrice Evra, Manchester United legend, said, “The ‘Delivering Dreams’ campaign with DHL Express is fantastic. When I saw the smiles on the kids’ faces when they played on this beautiful football pitch for the first time, it was a moment I won’t forget. When I was that age, I didn’t have the opportunity or the luxury to play on that kind of pitch. It’s an amazing campaign and an honour to be chosen to cut the cord and be the first one playing on the pitch with those kids.”
Elliott Santon, Head of Global Sponsorships, DHL Express, said, “At DHL Express, we are always looking for opportunities to deliver on our mission to connect people and improve lives. It is a proud moment to work with our long-term partners at Manchester United to provide the people of Mae Suek, Thailand, with access to a professional grade football pitch. To hear the community’s love for the game and how playing sport will benefit the region for generations to come was very rewarding.”
Genesis Magma Racing have announced Shell as its official performance and innovation partner for the team’s debut season in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).
The agreement expands on the decade-long partnership between Shell and Hyundai Motorsport in the World Rally Championship (WRC). As part of the new deal, Shell will provide a specially formulated 0W-40 engine oil for the team’s new GMR-001 Hypercar.
Shell’s lubricant experts were involved throughout the engine’s development, conducting detailed oil analysis after dyno tests and providing real-time evaluations at the circuit during on-track testing. The WEC provides Shell with an opportunity to develop future lubricant technologies that prioritise durability and reliability, as road vehicles become more complex.
Genesis Magma Racing, backed by Hyundai Motor Company, will compete in the WEC’s top-tier category, which includes the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Aysun Akik, Vice President of New Business Development and Global Key Accounts, Shell Lubricants, said, WEC unlocks a thrilling new arena for Shell and Hyundai to keep pushing boundaries and co-engineer lubricants like Shell Helix Ultra. When races last for six, eight or more hours, scientists and drivers can test innovative new technologies using endurance as the ultimate testbed. Together, we intend to continue delivering quality solutions to our customers.
Cyril Abiteboul, President, Hyundai Motorsport, said, Genesis Magma Racing is rooted in Korean heritage; a culture shaped by precision, perseverance and a constant drive to improve. We now have a new platform to express that philosophy through engineering and performance, while inspiring a new motorsport culture. Partnering with Shell is central to turning that ambition into reality.
Music festival Creamfields has partnered with Ignite Padel to become the first UK music festival to feature dedicated on-site padel courts.
The partnership will see full-sized courts and equipment installed at the festival for its 80,000 attendees. The activation is part of the festival’s expanded ‘Downtown’ village, which also includes a gymnasium, football tournament, and a new darts challenge.
The introduction of the courts aims to introduce the sport to a new audience at the electronic music event.
A spokesperson for Ignite Padel said, We’re excited to be partnering with Pepsi MAX presents Creamfields this August Bank Holiday, delivering a UK first… bringing padel to a major music festival. It’s a powerful opportunity to introduce the sport through new avenues, reaching an audience who may be discovering padel for the very first time. Here at Ignite, we aim to work with world leading brands, and we can’t wait to showcase what we’re about on a platform as iconic as Creamfields.
