How the gravity of key man Henshaw’s injury could

ROBERT Henshaw (as I then referred to him in my schools coverage) first hit my radar in late 2010 through Michael Loftus, the hugely inspirational teacher and coach behind the game and it’s development in Marist College, Athlone.

The Henshaw name has long been associated with the Marist but I think it fair to say that no one boy has had a greater influence on the evolution of the game in the school than Robbie Henshaw in his time there.

Despite his best attempts to marry rugby with Gaelic Football, as a member of the Westmeath minor team in 2010 and 2011, oval became his all consuming passion.

As one who had to make a similar decision, albeit with another code, it is a massive call, at that stage in a fledgling career.

But anyone who knows the said Mr Loftus will understand where the now British and Irish Lion is coming from when he describes the man who coached him throughout his school days thus: “Mick has been the driving force behind rugby in the school for as long as I can remember. He has always been hugely influential and he constantly challenges guys to improve themselves and the standards within the school.

“GAA was probably considered to be bigger at one point, but in recent years rugby is definitely on a par with it. It’s growing every year and that’s proven by the fact we won two Senior Cups in a row in 2012 and 2013”.

I think this an appropriate point of entry because apart from highlighting the most influential figure in his playing career (move over Joe) it highlights even more the early penchant for responsibility and leadership.

Bear in mind that despite being 33 caps on as well as that recent Lions Tour to New Zealand (where injury again struck) the firmly established first choice Ireland centre is still only 24.

The best is yet to come but the most pressing concern for Joe Schmidt is in replacing the injured player who has become a very real leader in this current Irish set up for the three massive games ahead.

Jared Payne had inherited that organisational role in succession to Brian O’Driscoll and was making a fair fist of it but as he is still an even more serious injury victim of that four country Summer tour down under.

Because of our strength in depth in the back-row, serious injuries to Josh van der Flier, Rhys Ruddock and Sean O’Brien can be taken on the chin.

Anything untoward happening to Conor Murray and/or Johnny Sexton and we’ve got problems. Andrew Porter did a great job in covering for Tadgh Furlong against the Italians but he is still a rookie in terms of the forward juggernauts coming our way.

I can’t recall too many props suffering from hamstring tweaks back in the day but it is one of those debilitating injuries that can only be fully tested in the white heat of battle.

Keith Earls did a reasonable job when covering for Henshaw against the Italians but, irrespective of the Limerick man’s outstanding form, that is not an option.

Earls has developed into an outstanding wing in his own right and Schmidt is acutely aware of that. So where to now? Bundee Aki is but a wet week