Henshaw unfazed by talk of Leinster switch

Connacht’s Robbie Henshaw has dismissed speculation linking him with a move to Leinster and insists he has yet to play to his potential.

Leinster coach Matt O’Connor revealed his admiration for the centre after the November series but Henshaw insists he is fully committed to Pat Lam’s side and denied media reports about his future are a distraction.

“It’s not too frustrating,” he said. “It’s people talking. I’m certainly not saying anything, I just play my rugby. It’s all speculation.

“At the moment I am contracted, as you know, with Connacht until next year. I just play my rugby and keep my head down and don’t say much about it.”

The 21-year-old fitted seamlessly into Joe Schmidt’s side in November and demonstrated his adaptability by covering both centre positions in the wins against South Africa and Australia.

Henshaw revealed Brian O’Driscoll gave him invaluable advice when he first joined the national set-up and the encouragement hasn’t stopped with the Grand Slam-winning captain’s retirement. He also says number 13 is where he sees his future.

Henshaw explained: “He was quality, he was invaluable. He just took me aside one-to-one coaching and mentoring. We’d sit down and have a coffee or sit down over the laptop and have a look at video analysis of training and then he’d shoot me a couple of texts this season in terms of how the 13 role is done and how it’s been going. He’s been really good.”

Henshaw continued: “Outside-centre is where I’ve been playing with Connacht and it’s where I’m quite comfortable. My eyes are set on it at the moment. That’s my target. I’m playing quite well but I think there’s more in the tank. I’m learning all the time and that’s what I’m pretty pleased about.

“You’re always looking at games saying, ‘I could’ve done this better or this better.’ Or, ‘I did this okay, or I did this okay.’ I think it’s going well at the moment and I’m pleased with my rugby.

“I’ve a lot to thank (former coach) Eric Elwood for for introducing me. He said: ‘Look, you’re well able.’

“I was kind of doubting myself at the start when I was only out of school (Marist College) and he gave me that confidence and so did Nigel Carolan, the academy manager at Connacht.”

Henshaw says he doesn’t have much time to sit down and consider how far he has come having only made his debut for the Ireland U20s less than two years ago. With Connacht hosting Edinburgh in the Pro12 this weekend aiming to preserve an unbeaten home record this season, and with a couple of Challenge Cup matches to be squeezed in before the Six Nations begins in Rome, there’s little time for personal reflection.

For now, his focus is closer to home and on the aim of making Connacht an even more formidable opponent at the Sportsground.

“It’s great to see your team clicking. The difference this season is that it’s a closer group, mixed with youth and experience, and the clarity in the team is huge.

“We’re just looking at making Connacht Rugby our fortress. We’re still unbeaten there this year, which is something we’re happy with, so we’re just looking at keeping our momentum going.”