Six Nations: Henderson knows Ireland have a chance

Centre Rob Henderson is delighted to be back in the Ireland team to face France in Paris on Saturday and puts it all down to a week at a ‘fat’ camp.

Henderson, 29, has played only a handful of games this season for his club, Young Munster, and Munster after a string of injuries dating back to last summer’s Lions tour to Australia.

The former Wasps man first needed surgery on his knee but then suffered two groin injuries which saw him spend more time in a BBC commentary box during the 2002 Six Nations Championship than out on the pitch.

But now, as Henderson prepares to face the French at the Stade de France, he claims he is back to his ideal weight of 15st 10lbs and feeling better than he has in a long time thanks to the ‘fat’ camp run by Ireland’s fitness advisor Mike McGurn.

‘‘I went up to Dublin last week and did a ‘fat’ camp with Mike,’’ Henderson said.

‘‘It involved writing down what you’re eating, for a start - you can cheat but there’s not really much point; training two or three times a day; a lot of running, rowing, cycling, swimming, which is not my forte and just really working hard.

"Whatever he did for me, allied to the rehab I’ve been doing with the Munster physios, it’s paid off.

‘‘It’s good to be back because it’s been a tough season. I had the first four or five months off injured then it was playing again and getting injured again and then playing again and getting injured again. But I think I’ve got it right this time.

‘‘I took my time getting back from the last injury and I’m feeling better than I have for a long, long time. I’ve lost a few pounds and I’m really looking forward to playing again. I’m very fortunate to have been picked.

‘‘When you’ve played only a handful of games all season, every game you’re fit and available for becomes vital. I’m delighted to be in the team and I’m just sorry for John Kelly who scored two tries on his debut and was man of the match and now he finds himself on the bench.

‘‘I’m very fortunate to get another opportunity and another crack at the French. We’ve won the last two and hopefully we can make it three in a row.’’

Henderson is a big fan of the blossoming French midfield partnership between centres Damien Traille and New Zealand-born Tony Marsh.

He added: ‘‘They’re playing extremely well. Traille is a big lump and Marsh isn’t exactly small either but the pair of them have good hands, good pace and seemed to have solidified the midfield.

‘‘The last four times we’ve played the French I think we’ve had a little bit of an edge there but it will be a lot more even this time round. I think it’s the fifth different French pairing I’ve played against and this is by far their best.

‘‘They’ve got Stephane Glas on the bench as well and he’s a very good player so for the two boys to be keeping him out they must be doing something right.’’