Big blow for Connacht as Henshaw heads to Leinster at end of season

By John Ivory

ROBBIE Henshaw will be a Leinster player next season after agreeing a three-year deal with Leo Cullen’s side. The move was confirmed in an IRFU announcement on Tuesday afternoon.

It comes as a major blow to table-topping Connacht who had been hopeful the 22-year-old would extend his stay in Galway, but the switch to the capital has now been made official, ending long-term speculation.

The Athlone native’s reasoning for the move is largely unclear, though playing with Leinster could provide him with a better chance of grabbing a spot on the Lions tour to New Zealand, which takes place in the summer of 2017.

It has also emerged that Henshaw’s immenent departure to Leinster was the player’s own choice despite the IRFU encouraging him to stay at the Sportsground.

Connacht Rugby Head Coach Pat Lam, who was speaking before the move to Leinster was confirmed but after it was known the Irish international would be leaving the West, said it was disappointing to lose a player like Henshaw but the group would remain unaffected.

“I think it’s disappointing but it’s the nature of professional rugby. Everything we do is around the collective and Robbie is a part of the 2015/16 team and everything we’re doing this year and the years previous.

“We’re always disappointed if a player is going to go, or chooses to go, but I totally respect it because there’s so many factors that come into it, that’s the game we’re in.’’

The loss of the home-grown Henshaw to a Pro 12 rival has upset many in the province. The frustration is something Connacht fans are well accustomed to as Henshaw follows the likes of Mike McCarthy, Ian Keatley and Sean Cronin to other parts of the country in recent seasons.

This frustration is not something shared by Lam who was quick to point out that Henshaw is not unique in his decision to leave his home province, and also that players of his calibre do not guarantee success.

“Of course that’s what makes it disappointing (losing a home-grown talent) but he isn’t the first Connacht, Leinster, Ulster, Munster player that has left their home province and he won’t be the last.

“Everything is around the collective, making sure we are successful and while supporters are disappointed, I’ve coached teams, I’ve played in teams where we’ve had world-class players, world-class home-grown players, but that doesn’t guarantee you success.

“What guarantees you success is your structures, your culture, the game you play, the teamwork everyone does, so ultimately I know fans will be disappointed, fans – what they want is a successful team and that’s what we’re doing at the moment.

“Robbie’s part of that this year too, not only this year. We want to continue building on this year on year so that Connacht rugby is successful.’’

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.