In the midst of their biggest injury crisis in year’s Robbie Henshaw came of age
What a game he had.
We gave Henshaw 8/10 in out post-match ratings but we may have undersold just how good Henshaw was.
The 22-year-old delivered a consummate game of two halves against the French and has confirmed himself as a star on the world stage.
With Johnny Sexton, Paul O’Connell, Peter O’Mahony and Keith Earls all shipping blows, the youngest Irishman on the pitch was not found wanting.
In the first half, Henshaw was every inch a 12. Whether it was Johnny Sexton or Ian Madigan, Henshaw was first receiver and he took the ball into contact as hard as he could.
As much as Les Bleus went after Sexton, Henshaw targeted Frederic Michalak and got up in his face a number of times, including on a couple of carries.
His inside pass to Tommy Bowe set the Ulsterman free and there should have been a try, but for Keith Earls knocking on.
He took good lines to make space for Keith Earls, outside him, and pitched into defensive duty with the flankers. It was an extremely solid 40 minutes work.
The cool, half-time towel must have done the trick because he only got better after the break.
Henshaw kicked it up a notch and, calling more ball on himself, gave glimpses of the 13 that he may eventually be for Ireland.
Not only did he watch, and pounce upon, Mathieu Bastareaud and Wesley Fofana like a hawk, he displayed superb footwork and pace to break the line.
His break, on 48 minutes, set a tone – Ireland sniffed blood and were going in for the kill.
Fancying himself versus Bastareaud, he jinked and stepped past him before leaving Scott Spedding and two others for dead and throwing an overhand pass that nearly saw Tommy Bowe over in the corner.
Later in the half, on a penalty advantage, Madigan chipped a ball over the advancing lines and found a willing runner in Henshaw, who shrugged off Rob Kearney to pouch the ball.
Added to his carries, breakdown work and purposeful passes were the three kicks he put in behind the French lines.
We are seeing a growing awareness, from the Connacht player, in his role and responsibilities but his innate talent is shining through.
Much of the talk, in the build-up to the game, stemmed from the lack of a midfield leader now that Jared Payne [fractured foot] was flying home.
Henshaw stepped up when his team, and country, needed him. His work-rate upped to make up for their losses. That is the mark of a leader.
Being greedy, you still want him threatening tries, but with every passing game he is getting closer to the finished product.
