Henshaw will be ‘big loss’ to Ireland if shoulder injury ends his tournament, says partner Aki

Bundee Aki has admitted Robbie Henshaw will prove “a big loss” if ruled out of Ireland’s Natwest 6 Nations title charge.

British and Irish Lions centre Henshaw suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder in Ireland’s 56-19 win over Italy

IRELAND 56 19

in Dublin on Saturday. The 24-year-old suffered the blow on grounding the ball for his second score, requiring oxygen before departing with his right arm in a sling.

Head coach Joe Schmidt has so far refused to rule Henshaw out of the February 24 clash with Wales in Dublin, but the likelihood is that the Leinster star could miss the rest of the tournament.

“If he’s not there for the next couple of weeks it would be a big loss, he’s a big leader in the back line,” said centre partner Aki of Henshaw.

“But whoever steps up I’m sure will do a great job. Keith Earls did really well when he stepped in at 13, he did amazingly to get back and pull off that cover tackle at the end.

“I felt really comfortable with him in there, just as I have when I’ve had Robbie outside and Johnny Sexton on the inside too. When you’ve got players of that calibre there, you can only feed off that experience and enthusiasm.

“Keith’s a world-class player, with the experience and ability he has. He would go really well if he stepped in again to face Wales.”

Ireland racked up eight tries in their win over Italy, even though Conor O’shea’s side sneaked three late scores to close the sizeable gap.

Schmidt’s men will now host Wales and Scotland, before taking on England at Twickenham in a potential title decider.

Leinster star Garry Ringrose could yet be back from ankle trouble just in time to slot in for Henshaw in Ireland’s clash