ROBBIE CLOSES IN ON RETURN
Cullen says Henshaw could be fit for France clash
BY
3.15pm LEINSTER boss Leo Cullen predicts that Robbie Henshaw could be back in the Six Nations frame ahead of the France clash on February 11.
Henshaw underwent wrist surgery at the end of November after a hamstring injury ruled him out for a number of weeks and it was hoped he would return in time for the championship opener against Wales in a fortnight.
The Leinster centre wasn’t included in Andy Farrell’s championship squad on Thursday but Cullen believes that Henshaw is on the cusp of a return to action.
“He was pretty touch and go,” said Cullen of Henshaw’s availability for the Six Nations clash in Cardiff. “He probably just hasn’t done enough yet but he’ll join up with them at some stage is my understanding.
“What exact week that is we’ll wait and see but he’s not a million miles away. It’s a bit vague that
– obviously it won’t be for the first game but I think it will be pretty close after that.”
Cullen yesterday put the finishing touches on Leinster’s preparation for their final Champions Cup pool game.
His starting line-up includes 14 of Leinster’s 20 players in Ireland’s Six Nations squad, with Samoan tighthead Michael Ala’alatoa the odd man out.
Rising second row Joe Mccarthy has got the nod for his first European start and will look to cap a memorable week after he made the Six Nations cut.
The Blues’ stated aim was to be ruthless from the start to ensure they remain in Dublin as they look to make it to the final at the Aviva Stadium on May 20. However, Cullen attempted to take pressure off his players by insisting that it wasn’t the be all and end all to be top seeds heading into the Champions Cup last 16.
Certainly, Racing are motivated after Leinster put 40 points on them in December – and because the Top 14 outfit need a win to stay alive in the tournament this season.
Cullen recalled the events of 20 years ago when Leinster also had a route to the final in Lansdowne Road but, after beating
Biarritz in the quarters, they lost to
Perpignan in the last four.
“Everyone started talking about the final and this road being mapped out but that’s unfortunately not the way it is,” he cautioned.
“There are very motivated teams. Even more recently in the URC, we lost a home semifinal against the Bulls so there’s no guarantees. Teams are highly motivated, just like Racing coming this weekend.
“We’re not really thinking too far ahead. We’re just thinking about Racing, trying to get every single point we can because we have a huge amount of respect for them.”