Robbie Henshaw takes over the stage

Robbie Henshaw saw that it was on. When Craig Joubert raised his arm to signify a potential penalty for Ireland just outside England’s 22, Henshaw’s mind backtracked to the countless hours spent in Carton House preparing for just such a situation with his scrum-half.

He didn’t go mad. He could have waved his arms about like a drowning man desperate for air, but this 21-year-old did no more than share an almost imperceptible nod with his Munster colleague. And it was more than enough.

Within seconds he had scored his first try for Ireland.