Henshaw would be welcome at Blues
LUKE FITZGERALD says the signature of Robbie Henshaw would be welcomed in the Leinster camp, after the 22-year-old Connacht player admitted that he would not rule out a move to Leo Cullen’s side. ‘I can see lots of reasons why any club would like to have Robbie in their ranks,’ said Fitzgerald, who added that he feels the move would benefit his Irish team-mate. ‘I don’t know whether the club are pitching to him or not but it sounds like they are. ‘With the systems we have in place, the guys who are coaching us, the guys at the top, it’s an excellent set-up to be successful and to go further as a rugby player.’ Henshaw told Newstalk yesterday he is still undecided about next season. ‘At the moment I have to get all my options on the table and then I’ll have to see what’s best for my career,’ he said. ‘I’m not making any decisions yet at the moment.’ The Athlone man did reveal that his future lies in Ireland rather than further afield. ‘I suppose I’d love to play all my rugby in Ireland at the moment. I’m still quite young so I wouldn’t be thinking of leaving for a while,’ added Henshaw.
CONNACHT coach Pat Lam says it will be left to Robbie Henshaw whether he wants to stay at the Sportsground or move on when his contract expires at the end of the season. Lam said he would love to keep Henshaw in the west but it is up to the Irish international to make the call. The 22-year-old hopes to have his future wrapped up by Christmas and has not ruled out a move to Leinster. ‘Honestly, it’s Robbie’s choice. We don’t really comment on players’ recruitment and retention. Robbie’s just like all the other players who come off contract. ‘There’s a whole lot of guys in this team that I’ve been really blessed to work with going into my third year. ‘I want to continue working with these guys. I think we’re on a really good thing. We’ve got a good group of indigenous players and a good group of young guys coming in. ‘I think the most important thing is that it’s a big team effort. Everything Connacht does is about the team,’ added Lam. The Connacht coach could hardly have asked for his side to be in a better place just as Henshaw (right) is pondering his future. The western province is sitting on top of the PRO12 as well as leading their Challenge Cup pool. But Henshaw, speaking on Newstalk yesterday morning to mark the launch of College Awareness Week, said that he had much to ponder regarding his future which may include joining Leinster. ‘I’m not ruling it out at the moment. We will have to see what happens. ‘I have to look at my options and I suppose coming up towards Christmas will have to have a look,’ he added. ‘I can expect it to be an ongoing process. At the moment, I have to get all my options on the table and then I’ll have to see what is best for my career. I’m not making any decision yet.’ ‘I would imagine that it will be my call,’ he said, while adding that the IRFU may also advise him on where they want him to play. Henshaw made his debut for Connacht as a 19-year-old three years ago and was selected as player of the season in his first campaign. He has chalked up 66 appearances for Connacht and won his 15th Irish cap against Argentina in the World Cup quarter-final defeat in Cardiff.