Bundee Aki is braced for Robbie Henshaw showdown

Bundee Aki is expecting a ‘bite’ in the challenge when he faces down Robbie Henshaw in a Leinster shirt for the first time on Saturday.

After two seasons of tormenting defences together, Aki (26) now has to plot the downfall of his former teammate, who could feature for Leinster as he attempts to build up some game time ahead of facing New Zealand in Chicago with Ireland.

Together Henshaw and Aki played a huge role in Connacht’s PRO12 Grand Final win over Leinster last May, but now the Athlone man has jumped ship and forged an impressive partnership with Garry Ringrose, Aki is ready to meet him head on.

“Obviously, Robbie is one of the world class players we have here in Ireland. He is playing really good rugby alongside Ringrose and it will be a challenge for me to make sure I settle into my game and make sure I can perform the same way I can,” said Aki.

“When you come across a good mate there is always going to be a bite in it. You’re out there to try and prove yourself (to see) who can be the better player. Obviously Robbie can show what he can do, and I can show what we can do. But it’s good for Irish rugby when (you have) two good midfielders. Plus he has got good midfielders alongside him, the likes of Ringrose.

“But we’ve got Peter Robb, Craig Ronaldson is playing really well and guys there are filling in like Shane O’Leary.

“It’s about us trying to play to our system and to our strength and making sure we are able to hold him (Henshaw) down with Ringrose, because they have a good combination at the moment.”