Lions legend gives advice to Henshaw
WASPS ACE REVEALS ‘OUT OF THE BLUE’ SELECTION FOR LIONS TOUR TO
IRELAND star Robbie Henshaw will be armed with words of wisdom from former British and Irish Lions captain Brian O’Driscoll when he heads to New Zealand next week.
Henshaw is among an 11-strong Irish contingent in Lions head coach Warren Gatland’s 41-man squad for a demanding assignment headlined by three Tests against the world champion All Blacks.
Ex-Ireland skipper O’Driscoll led the Lions on their last New Zealand mission 12 years ago, but his Test series lasted only a few minutes after he was spear-tackled, suffering a dislocated shoulder and spending several months sidelined.
O’Driscoll went on four successive Lions tours between 2001 and 2013, playing in eight Tests, and his experience and knowledge is key for a first-timer like Ireland and Leinster centre Henshaw.
“I had a brief chat with Brian O’Driscoll a few weeks ago, just caught up with him to see how he’s getting on and staying in touch with him a little bit,” Henshaw said.
“It was good to pick his brain a little bit in terms of his experience.
“I was looking at his past tours, and he’s been on four, which is an incredible amount. He’s good to go to for a few tips and to get his experience on it.
“He said, ‘Step out of your comfort zone, enjoy it and just go out and play, do your best. It’s a massive privilege to be involved in a tour, so don’t let it pass you by’. He said, ‘Just back yourself’.
“I remember getting up incredibly early for the last Lions tour of New Zealand, watching those games. The Australia tour, the South Africa tour, I remember them all.
“The earliest memories are probably when Keith Wood was playing, I can’t tell you what age I was. I was pretty young. My uncle (David Henshaw) played with Keith, so I remember pinpointing him on the team and remembering him.
“It is an unbelievable experience (to be involved with the Lions), and it’s a privilege to be involved here.
“When it gets down to it, I am really looking forward to getting on the pitch with the boys and doing what we do best.” THEY say there is a special bond between British & Irish Lions, regardless of age or nationality.
For those select few who have worn the famous red shirt have an affinity, a shared experience, which no-one else can fully understand.
When ageing Lions are reunited, a knowing look and a respectful nod is all it takes to rekindle memories of their glorious shared past.
The latest name added to the roll of honour of those who have partaken in what is now rugby’s last crusade is Wasps’ stalwart James Haskell.
And he was welcomed to the fraternity by the club’s only other Lion – the splendidly individual Christian Wade – with...a Lion bar, what else? With Haskell’s body being the recently wellexposed temple it is the chocolate remained firmly in its wrapper.
At least until, you suspect, borderline chocoholic Wadey helps him out.
Nonetheless the powerhouse flanker clearly appreciated his popular colleague’s gesture, which came 24 hours on from the unexpected phone call which gave Haskell the chance – in his own previous words – to move from the ranks of good player to great one following Billy Vunipola’s decision to miss the tour due to a shoulder injury.
“It came out of the blue,” said Haskell.
“Up until 4pm on Sunday I was just going to be a Lions fan from afar. I had gone for food with my missus and parents when I picked up the phone and saw I’d got a missed call from Warren Gatland. ‘Woah, I wonder what that’s about?!’
“I was in the car and everyone was like, ‘pull over, pull over’. We had a chat and that was it. I was like, ‘Yes, please sir.’ In Lions’ terms, I’m like the academy kid.
“I’m very honoured.
“It has been a childhood dream.
“I had made my peace that it wasn’t going to happen.
“Now I have been given that lifeline, although it’s no good just being on the tour and collecting the kit. You want to fight for that Test place. That’s when you’re truly a Lion. First, though, I just want to make sure that I do well for Wasps this weekend.” Haskell has 75 England caps, and like many of his Lions colleagues has faced New Zealand many times. he is also one of very few European players to have been part of Super Rugby, thanks to a 2012 spell with the Otagobased Highlanders, and is therefore well placed to assess what lies ahead – which he jokes will include Haka challenges from everyone from toddlers to pensioners
It has been a childhood dream to be involved in the Lions that I never thought was going to happen.