Garry Ringrose return could ease Robbie Henshaw concerns

Garry Ringrose’s potential return to action after six months on the sidelines may be music to the ears of the Ireland team management but in the wake of Robbie Henshaw’s shoulder injury, the Six Nations leaders have a serious experience deficit to make up before Wales visit in Dublin.

With defensive leader and first-choice outside centre Jared Payne still working his way back from the migraines he has been suffering since being ruled out of last summer’s Lions tour to New Zealand, Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt will have dreaded the worst-case scenario of Henshaw leaving the Aviva Stadium on Saturday with his arm in a sling to protect a shoulder injury sustained in the act of scoring his second try against Italy.

A medical update on Henshaw’s condition outlining his likely time on the sidelines is expected today with the 24-year-old having yesterday undergone a scan on his right shoulder. The probable loss of Henshaw’s experience as a 33-Test international with a Lions tour under his belt is the last thing Ireland need as they face a Welsh midfield led by Scarlets star Scott Williams.