HENDO IS PRIMED TO DIVE BACK IN
SO, how do you fix a malfunctioning lineout? Getting Iain Henderson back i nto t he pack is one solution. The Ulster lock’s influence was sorely missed in Twickenham when Maro Itoje and Co caused havoc on every Irish throw.
There are many reasons why Ireland’s lineout — such a slick operation during t he Joe Schmidt era — has stuttered in recent times. Key personnel such as Rory Best and Devin Toner have either retired or been deemed surplus to requirements. Ronan Kelleher is a young hooker learning his craft while James Ryan is still getting the hang of running this setpiece — a tall order given he was also captaining Ireland for the first time last weekend.
Henderson is back on board this week to help alleviate some of that stress.
‘ I think obviously Cheese (Ryan) has a fair bit on his plate there, and he’s happier for me to do that, we’ve had chats, Cheese and I work quite well together.
‘So he’s happy enough that I take that off him there and I look forward to it, we’ve had a very good week’s training and simplified a few things down from last week, we took a bit of the detail out of it and are getting guys to back themselves
“James Ryan
has had a lot on his plate”
and execute.’
Henderson, set to win his 57th cap against Georgia, is part of a sizeable Ulster continent who have been drafted into thee starting lineup this week, which includes Rob Herring, Stuart McCloskey, Billy Burns and Jacob Stockdale.
It will be a big day for Burns, who is set to make his first start at out-half after winning his first two caps from the bench against Wales and England. Due reward for a player who took the plunge and left Gloucester to explore a new path with Ulster two years ago.
‘ Billy’s obviously been ann asset to the management at Ulster who somehow managed to get their hands on him,’ saidd Henderson.
‘It was a fantastic signing forr us. He’s been unbelievable up there. He’ s slotted in seamlessly.
‘I’ve said this to him before.. I’ve great admiration for himm taking a leap of faith and back-ing himself and coming over. He’s worked incredibly hard for what he’s got over the last couple of years at Ulster. He’s really fitting into 10 into that commander role if you like and a lot of the players up in Ulster respect him.
‘Even though he mightn’t bee the oldest player, he comes withh a fair bit of experience, over a hundred caps for his previous club. I think what goes hand in hand with that is how well he gets on with everyone.
‘I think his ability to mix in with all the players and get on with them so well gives the players a reason to follow him or a reason to follow the example he sets, and he’s done that at Ulster for the last couple of seasons and when he slotted in down here, he’s done that really well.’
McCloskey — the hard-running midfielder — has waited patiently for this opportunity as well. This will be just his fourth cap — two years after his most recent appearance against the US Eagles at the Aviva.
‘Stu knows he’s been playing well for Ulster for a number of years and arguably doesn’t have as many caps as he would potentially have in maybe a different era or without as many good centres around,’ Henderson added.
‘Stu’s also aware that the centres in this competition are playing well and he’s been incredibly patient and trained hard down here, trained well to keep performing in training with a view to getting a game.
‘It could have been very easy for Stuart to switch off after not getting a game in the first... how many weeks are we in now? Four or five weeks? He could have easily switched off in training and decided, “nono, this is not for me”, and thrown the head up with not getting selected, but he’s stuck at it. He’s training really well. He’s helped prepare the guys. He’s helped prepare defences — attacking and defending our attack and he’s getting just rewards for it now.
‘I think he’ll be massively looking forward to getting another cap this weekend. Someone of his potential getting, I think, it’s his fourth cap this weekend. It’s exciting for Irish rugby because it shows the depth we’ve got at centre but Stuart will be excited, slightly easing his frustration I would say but looking forward to taking the opportunity.’