Henderson not in mood to be issuing fond farewells

Iain Henderson will start against the All Blacks for the first time today, a testament that good things come to those that wait. Yet the lock also knows it will need a considerable step up in the team’s performance levels if it is to be a successful day at Tokyo Stadium.

The lock may have experienced victory over New Zealand last November in that 16-9 nailbiter at the Aviva Stadium but it was as a replacement and the fact injury denied him a role in the historic win over the All Blacks at Soldier Field in Chicago two years earlier has served as a motivational tool for him and a number of forward pack-mates who are eager to make a little Irish rugby history for themselves as part of the team that booked a first trip to the World Cup semi-finals.