It is funny to hear 23-year-old Robbie Henshaw talk about the advice he will impart to 21-year-old Garry Ringrose.
“[My advice] I suppose, is block out the outside sources and comments and keep to his game and just keep his head down. Keep doing what the coaches ask him, and keep listening to the older players. Keep listening to his captain Isa Nacewa.
“He’ll learn lots, and he has the skill and the talent to take things to the next level.”
There are 18 months between the lads.
2014 – While Ringrose was making waves with the Leinster Academy, and getting noticed with Ireland U20s, Henshaw was well established with Connacht, was into double figures for European Cup appearances, and had made his Ireland debut.
Perhaps due to his fondness for the player, and not wanting to sacrifice him to the 16-stone Test gods, Joe Schmidt has held off on giving Ringrose his Ireland debut. That should change this season.
Depending on how they fare together for Leinster [from October, if Henshaw is fully fit], Ringrose could well partner Henshaw in the Irish midfield for years to come. Right now, however, Henshaw is looking to get back into that Irish 13 jersey. He knows
Finishing Connacht’s title surge in flying form and his two summer Tests against South Africa have stoked a fire and convinced him he can do a really good job at No.13. He says:
“Obviously if I have to do it [at 12], I will batter it up. It wouldn’t be my goal in the game. I can also be a playmaker from 12, so it’s not just battering it up, it depends on the game-plan you have.
“Definitely I am keen for more space, rather than I suppose being tunnelled into crashing it up in the narrow channels.”
Leaving fullback behind – “Maybe, if I want to stretch my legs” – Henshaw would prefer 13 but is prepared to play 12.
13 could be his immediate future for Ireland after looking impressive in the role against the Springboks. He says:
“I suppose it was only the second or third time that I played at 13 in the Irish shirt. It was actually nice to be able to get that little bit more space outside of Luke, who had a really good game.
“I did feel comfortable actually, and especially got some good ball in hand. We got to play around a bit as well, whereas the second test I suppose there was a lot more kicking. I only got two ball handles in the first half and it was pretty frustrating to play, but I suppose the score-line was in our favour, which was working.
“The first game was definitely more exciting to play in and it was more comfortable as well.”
Ireland would be more than comfortable with their midfield options were Bundee Aki to declare for them in 2017.
The Kiwi is not committing to Ireland yet but Henshaw is hopeful he could be reunited with his former Connacht teammate.
“It was class playing with Bundee – he is such an exciting talent, and he is an unbelievably skilled player. His quality across the board is unbelievable; his defence is class and his attacking skills – he’s not just a one trick pony.
“He is able to deliver a 10-metre pass, and he is able to just put people into space and make players look better.
“Obviously it’s a difficult decision for him to make, but personally I would love to play with him in the Green shirt, because of the bond I had with him over the last two years. I really got on with him off the pitch as well, and he just benefited me a lot, but obviously it’s his own decision.”
12 or 13? Ireland fans won’t mind what numbers they wear as long as they are lining out together; again.
*Robbie Henshaw was speaking at the official launch of Leinster’s 2016/17 alternate jersey, which is available to pre-order from Canterbury.com, Life Style Sports and will be in store from August 26.
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