Robbie Henshaw the most hard-done-by player we can’t afford to lose

The man gets through buckets upon buckets of work, in attack and defence.

Wrapping up the latest episode of The Hard Yards, there were still some men eager to talk rugby. Sitting around the table were myself, Andy McGeady, the show's host, and former Ireland internationals Tomás O'Leary and Mike McCarthy. With the Six Nations around the corner, and the Champions Cup pool stages wrapped, there was still plenty to chat about. Ireland, like every team in the Six Nations, are coping without injured players but I noted how big a loss Sean O'Brien would be. O'Leary agreed before commenting:

"You know the one guy we can't afford to lose? Robbie Henshaw. The guy is playing some unbelievable rugby right now."

Everyone agreed and O'Leary went on to rave about a few of the Leinster flankers recent performances. It was an enjoyable chat but my only regret was that we had stopped recording. O'Leary's words are not uncommon, though. Henshaw has become a key player for Ireland over the past three years and a run of fitness and form has been much welcomed by Leinster supporters too. He is one of those players that you just expect to put in an 8 or 9/10 performance each week. He is not getting as much plaudits, or criticism, as there have been very few spikes and dives. He has been consistently good and that is what we often take for granted. Against Montpellier, last weekend, Henshaw put in another impressive shift. He bagged himself a nice try and got through a mountain of his own work in attack and defence. However, it was his backing up of young winger Jordan Larmour throughout the game that showed him as a true backline leader. All afternoon, Henshaw had Larmour's back. He guided him through the game, positioned him in defensive sets, cleared out when Larmour was brought to ground and teamed up with him for some big tackles. Nemani Nadolo is one hell of an opposite number and Henshaw ensured the 20-year-old would not have to always go it alone. On Monday, the EPCR nominations for European Player of the Year were announced and three of Ireland's undoubtedly world-class stars featured on the long-list - Tadhg Furlong, Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton. There was also room for Scott Fardy, Isa Nacewa and Scarlets' Tadhg Beirne. Henshaw did not make the cut and Brian O'Driscoll was not the only one highlighting the omission. That list of nominees will change again as the competition progresses so don't be surprised if Henshaw's name features around finals time. But certainly don't be shocked if the long-list becomes a short-list and there is still no Henshaw. It is not something that would bother the centre too much. Those that follow the game closely and, more importantly, Henshaw's coaches and teammates are well aware of his importance to the team. That's enough for him. Back in November, following some criticism about Henshaw not being a game-breaker in attack, former Leinster and Ireland flanker Kevin McLaughlin delivered an emphatic response.

"I wholeheartedly disagree with that. You talk to any coach or any person, or any player to have played alongside Robbie and they will tell you he is unbelievable to play with. You can just see it from watching him - the work he gets through, the big plays, he gets you over the gainline - he's everything you'd want in a 12."

That was also on The Hard Yards but we were fortunate enough to still be recording at that moment. Ireland must do without O'Brien for the opening rounds of the Six Nations and his absence will be keenly felt. Heading into the championship, though, Henshaw is the one back Ireland can't afford to lose. With Luke Marshall only returning to fitness, Jared Payne still sidelined Garry Ringrose re-habbing, we need Henshaw more than ever.