Robbie Henshaw targeting one last crack at World Cup in 2027 with Ireland

EYES ON THE PRIZE: Robbie Henshaw during a Leinster Rugby squad training session at UCD in Dublin. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

Robbie Henshaw is targeting one last crack at a World Cup with Ireland after signing a new contract with Leinster and the IRFU that takes him through to the summer of 2028.

The veteran centre will be 34 by the time the 2027 competition gets going Down Under. The aim is to be part of an Ireland squad that will be hoping to win a knockout game for the very first time.

Henshaw’s own personal history with the tournament is just as frustrating with injuries curtailing his involvement in 2015 in England and Wales, four years later in Japan, and yet again just over 12 months ago in France.

“It’s something that every player wants to be involved in and go towards. I know it’s a long way away for me but if I can stay fit and keep playing good rugby, I can't see why I can't have that as a goal to go towards. It will definitely be in the list of goals, long term.”

The 31-year old also admitted that the chase for Leinster’s “fifth star” in the Champions Cup is a driving factor in his decision to stay in Dublin. There had been reports of interest from the Top 14 but he was always likely to hang around.

“There were a few offers but for me it was an easy decision to make to stay because of how well we're looked after here in Ireland, both in Leinster and Ireland, and with how well we've gone in the last few years, how good the quality of rugby here is.”

Henshaw has already bagged serious honours in the game.

One of only five Irish five-time Six Nations champions, he has won as many URC titles in various forms (and one of them with Connacht) as well as a Champions Cup medal with Leinster. He was a three-time Test starter with the 2021 British and Irish Lions.

The goal, he admits, is to finish his playing career with Leinster but if there is a risk of players coming down off their peak in their early 30s then he is aiming to go the opposite way an d improve his game on the back of Jordie Barrett’s short-term stint at the club.

“We’ve a world-class player and he has brought serious value to the team. You see from his performances when he has come on, immediately he’s been brilliant. It's great, it will hopefully raise my game and it will make Leinster stronger as well. So it's all positive.”