The man-child speaketh.
Rugby players are often accused of tossing out meaningless platitudes and delivering Bran Flake interviews. There is often justification to those claims but not with Iain Henderson.
The Ulster and Ireland forward has given a superb insight into his life, and thinking, in a great one-on-one with The Sunday Times.
Henderson reveals how close he was to missing out on a career in professional rugby and heading off, instead, to college in England. It was Ulster’s defence coach, Jonny Bell that convinced him to give the province’s academy route a whirl.
Henderson then pulls out the rugby quote of the year, so far:
‘I remember after my first (Ireland) cap, against South Africa, looking back and thinking, “A year ago, I was living in Stranmillis Student House with three or four guys from school, still arsing about, setting things on fire, putting weird stuff in the microwave, all sorts of stupid stuff going on. Then this happens”.’
The 23-year-old also tells a story about heading over to Leeds – ahead of his Heineken Cup debut against Northampton Saints – with the intention of buying a Land Rover. He ended up scooting home in a 40-year-old [plus] Mini Metro.
He said, ‘I had a frantic chase to make the ferry from Liverpool. Driving across England at night in the Mini — some of the best crack I’ve ever had.’
Ahead of this year’s Six Nations, Henderson spoke with us about the same Mini. Sounds like the vintage motor is keeping him occupied.
”With the assistance of our tutor,’ he said, ‘[myself and Andrew Trimble] replaced a clutch in my classic Mini. The fingers are just about getting right from foostering about and trying to get it. We enjoyed it and it was something that got us away from spending hours on end in the gym.’
The full interview with Henderson is available to read here.
