Relaxed Henry not flattering to deceive

GRAHAM HENRY came close to killing Ireland with kindness yesterday, love-bombing Declan Kidney and his team with the sort of flattery that would make the worst egotist blush.

The Kiwi coach may well have gilded the lily but his were no empty words — he backed up his eulogy by selecting his strongest possible starting XV for Saturday’s test at Croke Park.

Dan Carter returns at ten after his sabbatical at inside centre, while Mils Muliaina parachutes straight back in at full-back after his brief parental leave to a side which, like Ireland’s, values the comfort of experience over the promise of youth.