WATCH: Laid-back Iain Henderson knows when to switch on

A force of nature and a rising forward star with the speed of a wing. The praise heading Iain Henderson’s way is plentiful as he prepares to make his World Cup debut in Ireland’s second row alongside captain Paul O’Connell.

The 23-year-old Ulsterman faces Canada today having edged out O’Connell’s regular lock partner Devin Toner after a run of brilliant form stretching back to the end of last season for province and country.

With 19 Test caps to his name after making his debut against South Africa in November 2012, Henderson is hardly taking a leap into the unknown at the Millennium Stadium and although his partnership with O’Connell is not longstanding they have spent enough time together on and off the field in the last three years for both men to feel at ease working as a unit.