Lomu, Wilkinson, Pollock? Rugby's search for a crossover star
The figure places him joint-second among current players, alongside France captain Antoine Dupont (also 37%) and behind only former England captain Owen Farrell (41%). However he, and rugby in general, are far behind football. The equivalent recognition figure for Real Madrid and England star Jude Bellingham is 71%.
It is a gap Hearn would like to close. Along with Pollock, he has also signed Bath playmaker Finn Russell in the belief that rugby undervalues its individuals. Pollock and Russell will be represented by Hearn's Matchroom agency in matters away from rugby "Look at Lamine Yamal over at Barcelona," said Pollock.
"He is only 18. "We need to spotlight those young stars, those coming through the grassroots, and ultimately the game will grow through that. " Rugby success spawning mainstream breakthrough names has been patchy.
After skittling tacklers as a 20-year-old at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, Jonah Lomu was linked to the NFL, starred in his own video game and became famous around the world. Jonny Wilkinson, the steely calm at the centre of England's success at the tournament eight years later, was similarly stratospheric. Dan Carter, Siya Kolisi, Brian O'Driscoll, Richie McCaw, Gavin Henson, Sebastien Chabal and Danny Cipriani have also, to varying degrees and for differing reasons, cut through in the modern era.
Chris Thompson is the founder of We Know Rugby, an agency that advises brands on the personalities and commercial properties within the sport. "There is the perennial challenge of getting big names in people's eyeballs all year round – and that's for any sport," he told BBC Sport. "International and club rugby are two distinct products each with its own audience and experience and the more they can collaborate, particularly in relation to content, the stronger the sport will become.