Henshaw tipped to play for Ireland

Connacht coach Eric Elwood has tipped his Academy starlet Rob Henshaw for international honours.

As Elwood prepares for what he describes as a “must-win” game away to Zebre, the former Irish international flyhalf cited the emergence of Henshaw and youngsters Tiernan O’Halloran, Eoin Griffin and Kieran Marmion as reasons to be optimistic for the future of the province.

“He [Henshaw] will play for Ireland, that’s what I see in him,” he said.

“In training last week I asked him to do us a favour by lining out at 15, not his more usual number 13 position. He simply told me it would be no problem.

“He’s one of those kids that has great ability. He is a good talent, can play 13 or 15 but even at a young age just out of school he is ready. I spoke to his mum and to his dad, I told them their son is a special player and for a young man just out of school he is able to match others in the physicality stakes as well.”

Henshaw, O’Halloran and Marmion laid down markers in the recent destruction of Leinster at the Sportsground, playing huge roles alongside experienced former Scotland outhalf Dan Parks.

But they only got their chance due to mounting injury problems, with captain Gavin Duffy, scrum half Frank Murphy and deputy Paul O’Dea forced out of action at the last minute.

“It has really tested our strength in depth and it was a good thing because it has given the young lads exposure at a good high level,” explained Elwood.

“Kieran [Marmion] has come straight in from the Academy and has been fantastic. His maturity and game sense, his composure has been brilliant. It’s imperative that I have a strong affiliation with our indigenous players and if Connacht players are good enough they will get the opportunities; we need to have that identity.”

But Elwood will be looking to Parks to pull the strings in the coming weeks. “The reason we signed Dan was that last year we had seven losing bonus points but weren’t able to close our key games. While the lads last year did a good job for us, if you can buy that quality then you must know what that quality can give you.

“Dan understands that part of his legacy will be to bring on home-grown players like young Jack Carty who is a good prospect, Miah Nokora, Matt Jarvis and guys in our Academy. We needed that experience. We need Dan’s game sense, his game management. We have to be competitive and it’s a given that you need experience in the spine of any team.”