Henshaw expects opportunities against Felix Jones' English blitz defence

Robbie Henshaw expects that English linespeed to pose a stiffer test of their latest Grand Slam credentials than the Welsh defence - and he was suitably impressed by the Welsh effort in that department as well.

OPPORTUNITIES: Ireland’s Robbie Henshaw sees  opportunities against England's blitz defence. Pic: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

This is Jacques Nienaber’s 14th week working with Leinster. Not a landmark that would normally attract any interest. That it does now owes to the South African’s statement in the New Year that it would take 14 weeks to bed in his blitz defensive system.

That it takes 14 weeks regardless of the team involved.

Suddenly, a routine URC assignment away to Cardiff this weekend seems that bit more alluring but it also begs a question ahead of Ireland’s Six Nations visit to Twickenham next Saturday week.

Nienaber's introductory phase lasted 14 games with the Springboks, what with the wider gaps between fixtures, so a penny for the thoughts of Felix Jones right now as he pushes on with the same process with England.

Jones spent four years as part of the same South African brains trust as Nienaber and he is currently looking to teach the stitch this same system into the minds of Steve Borthwick’s boys in the middle of a Championship.

The former Munster man isn’t with England a wet week, never mind 14 of them. They have conceded eight tries in their first three games, starting with the three claimed by Italy in Rome when Gonzaolo Quesada’s side pounced on a defence that remains a work-in-progress.

Jones has admitted as much himself while Andy Farrell, speaking after Ireland's defeat of Wales, was not slow to point to some of the “teething problems” England have been experiencing. Robbie Henshaw certainly sees opportunity in that regard.

“It’s perfect for us,” said Henshaw who is one of those Leinster players learning the method from Nienaber this season. “We know what Felix experienced down in the South African team. It’s good that we’ll have that bit of knowledge on what we’re coming up against.” 

Listening to Nienaber detail the timeline and the process at Leinster’s HQ in early January was to marvel at a man absolutely full sure in what he was doing and how he would do it. The same instructions had been followed to a tee when he was defence coach at Munster.

Jones was part of a South African coaching staff that won two World Cups. He was lauded by other coaches and players throughout that time and his capture was deemed to be a major coup for Borthwick as he looked to resurrect England’s fortunes.

Borthwick waxed lyrical about his new assistant’s work ethic and attention to detail at the Six Nations launch. He spoke of the rapt silence that held in the room when the Irishman first presented to his new team.

But this is still Jones' first time following this blueprint and it can't be so straightforward. It has to be more complicated than the confident Nienaber describes it and if it isn't then Jones is hardly halfway through the assembly stage.

“From being in Jacques’ system we definitely haven’t gotten it right at times,” said Henshaw. “There are opportunities in attack to take and capitalise on those rushing defenders.

“The aim of the system is to create that chaos, put skills under pressure. For us we’ll need to be calm, composed and be ready to take opportunities when they come.” 

Let it be said here that Henshaw is not expecting a picnic. He expects that English linespeed to pose a stiffer test of their latest Grand Slam credentials than the Welsh defence - and he was suitably impressed by the Welsh effort in that department as well.

Ireland eventually managed to claim a winning bonus point when Tadhg Beirne claimed a fourth try for the team in injury-time last weekend. That it took that long to bank wasn’t part of the pre-match script against a young and experienced but committed opposition.

“Their defence was pretty good. They had that red wall in our face, they kept their wingers high and had one in the backfield. They filled that front line, which made it hard for us to attack, less space for us.

“At the breakdown, we thought they’d commit more numbers than they did to poach the ball but they actually sat off and just kept their numbers on the feet. That gave us that picture in attack that was hard to break down.

“I thought our setpiece was good. As backs, we should have capitalised more on our scrum going forward, we missed a few opportunities there. Loads to work on but hugely positive to finish strong.”