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12th October 2015
03:10pm BST

Now, though, it is that pair that will be asked to be the engine that powers the well-oiled machine that is the Irish pack.
Henderson has already begun creating that similar ripple of excitement whenever he gets hold of the ball. His dynamic game has been on full display during the World Cup and along with Sean O'Brien he has been Ireland's most reliable source of forward yards.
He revs up and hits the ball at pace and each carry is laced with menace - when he collected the ball five yards out against Canada it was just a matter of how many defenders he would barrel through in the act of scoring (Answer: Three).
But, much as those charges ignite the side, it's in the rest of his work where Henderson has grown into a potential future leader of this Irish side.
Ireland's lineout has been imperious thus far, and while the giant Toner's ability at the set piece may have swung selection his way initially, it was Henderson's steal of French ball that was the catalyst for Ireland's opening try at the Millennium Stadium.
His tackling is first rate - witness the powerful stop and drive back of French flanker Bernard Le Roux that evoked memories of Stephen Ferris, Will Genia and Ireland's last great World Cup victory - while his ability at the breakdown gives Ireland the luxury of effectively having four back-rows on the field.
O'Connell's loss will sting, of that there is no doubt, but for the first time Irish fans can look ahead knowing that in the absence of the Munster master, there is an apprentice ready to step into the void.Explore more on these topics: