FOOTBALL SCOUTS OFTEN mention that it can take just two or three seconds to know they are watching a special player.
The same can be said of rugby, where a burst of activity – be it a clinical try-scoring pass, an intelligent turnover or a dominant tackle – can leave the viewer in little doubt that they are observing a future star of the game.
Iain Henderson has been providing many of those moments in recent years, standing out for the Ireland U20s and with his province Ulster. His powerful and constantly developing 6ft 6ins frame has always marked him out as something different.
While there have been many examples of his ball carrying threat in the last four seasons, none sticks in the mind quite like the rapid burst of excellence against Saracens in the Heineken Cup quarter-final last year [below].
The sidestep, the pirouette away from the second tackler, the fending off of a third before a vicious hand-off on the fourth; Henderson followed it all up by pumping his legs through contact to earn even more metres.
Ball carrying has always been a strength for the 22-year-old second row/blindside flanker, and even now he admits “I prefer playing six because you can get your hands on the ball a wee bit more.”
The vast majority of Henderson’s rugby this season has come at lock though, and that is where he played for Ireland off the bench against Scotland and England during the current Six Nations campaign. The Ulsterman outlines that there is a notable difference between the two positions.
That points to the area of the game where Henderson is working hard to learn as much as possible. If he is picked at lock, the Ballynahinch clubman is aware that he will need to continue his improvement in the ‘donkey work’ elements, but points out that he is under the tutelage of the right people.
Training with the likes of Paul O’Connell here, and Dan Tuohy and Johann Muller back at home, they’re continually giving me tips on what I can do better. I’m happy to learn from them and pick up experience. Any training session with them, I’m always learning.”
Ireland’s coaching staff have asked Henderson to bring the same intensity he demonstrates when carrying the ball into every other area of his game. Forwards coach John Plumtree has been impressed with the response from a player he rates highly.
“I was really excited when I first saw Iain Henderson play. He’s a guy who has a skillset that is really high and he’s a big man as well. The challenge for Iain as a player is to make sure that his work rate is really high in everything he does.
“It’s not about doing one thing really well, it’s about doing lots of things really well. We’ve dished out that challenge to him and I think he’ll be really excited if he gets an opportunity this weekend.”
Henderson’s two starts at senior level for Ireland have come in the number six jersey [against the US and Fiji, the latter of which was an uncapped game], and with Peter O’Mahony struggling with a hamstring strain this week, there may be an opening there again for the encounter with Italy on Saturday.
[image alt="Iain Henderson 4/3/2014" src="http://cdn.thejournal.ie/media/2014/03/iain-henderson-432014-2-630x439.jpg" width="630" height="439" class="alignnone" /end]
Henderson points out that he has been training as both a second row and back row for province and country this season, so knows his “detail on all aspects of the positions.” Even if he doesn’t get the starting nod this weekend, the former Belfast Royal Academy student understands that the bench plays an important role too.
I think at my age, and with how much experience I have, I just need to be getting game time. I have hardly any caps for Ireland [eight] and I think if I can get game time coming off the bench in the second row or at six at this stage, it’s always a positive for me.”
Henderson has “absolutely loved” his involvement in a second consecutive Six Nations campaign for Ireland, and is aware that he has played a part in the success of the John Plumtree’s pack so far.
The plaudits are rolling in for Ireland’s work at the maul, line-out and scrum, but much like with his individual ability, Henderson says he and his teammates are looking for more progress.
“Like everything, you have to look at it and criticise and make sure that everything you do is slightly better. The lift can be slightly higher, the throw can be slightly more spot on, or the delivery to the scrum-half more accurate. We’re looking to improve even more.”
Is it just me or does he look like a giant ten year old?
He’s not called ‘Manchild’ at Ulster for nothing lol.
Ruddock is the established 6 who is unlucky not to be starting already due to POM’s form. Henderson is an option there for sure but if he starts for Ireland it has to be in the second row whatever his preference.
Jaysus a lot changes in a week. We must be the most fickle set of sports fans in the world – POM put in two man of the match-worthy performances against Scotland and Wales and now all of a sudden he is on poor form because he slipped off a tackle against England and wasn’t as obviously dominant in the breakdown. POM is also Munster captain and brings an emotional intensity that Ruddock lacks, so Ruddock is by no means unlucky. In fact he is lucky to be in with a shout considering SOB and Ferris are still unavailable, and with the attacking form Jordi Murphy has shown.
What Ireland need, if the England match is anything to go by, are effective ball-carriers. Bring Henderson in for that at 6 and he will create gaps all over the Italian defence. It will not affect the balance of the back row and gives us another excellent line-out option as well.
I didn’t say POM’s form was bad in fact I said the opposite, you are one pointing out perceived flaws with his England performance.
Pom is in super form what was said is that his form is so good it keeps ruddock out of the team, If Pom is unavailable then ruddock comes into the reckoning for the Italy game.
Henderson is also in the mix as he’s been in the match day squad.
Simply there’s a massive amount of backrow players who are good enough and that could all fit in easily enough.
There’s a chance that ferris will be back for ulster very soon( plays his first game this weekend fingers crossed) and with mueller leaving at the end of the season Henderson will naturally fit into the second row for his club.
Diack is also very strong at 6 so no matter where he wants to play I’d guess its in he row or not at all.
Henderson has the potential to be a world class flanker. His natural athletic ability gives him an edge no other 6′s have in Ireland. He has showed this season that he can dictate the momentum of his team, driving them forward in attack with evasive ball-carrying, and defence with aggressive tackles behind the gainline. He was seriously impressive for the Wolfhounds against England. I really think the sky is the limit with Henderson. I’d love to see a Henderson, O’Mahony, O’Brien back row some time in the future.
Henderson played 2nd row for the Wolfhounds against England and Ruddock played at 6, and as you said he was very impressive. His future should be seen in the 2nd row, having a dynamic player such as Henderson in the 2nd row would be huge for the Ireland team.
Ferris is back next week. he’s a bit athletic too wouldn’t you say.
Future second row due to shortage of tall lads about to coming through in rugby. I would personally start ruddock at six if Pom don’t make it on sat. He is much more physical than hendo.
Why do any media articles about hendorson jeep mentioning his physicality when I just don’t see him as huge at all? He does make ground with a good drive tho and has good step.
I think if we start Henry we have to start Henderson at six more explosive you have Henry and heaslip to do the dirty work
Personally I would love to see Henderson start in the 2nd row, that’s where his future lies for Ireland and that’s where he’s been playing his rugby for Ulster, I think it would be a great chance for him to develop his game and show us what he can bring to the International stage. Going forward to the World Cup I would see Rhys Ruddock as being Peter O’Mahony’s deputy and having the two of them pushing each other and bringing out the best in each other is the kind of competitive environment the Irish set up need to begin nurturing, so it is for this reason I would like to see Ruddock start at 6 for the Italian game, especially considering how good his form has been this season.
Ferris is playing next Monday for the Ravens. http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby/stephen-ferris-poised-to-make-return-to-playing-for-ulster-1-5914512
Great news for ferris, I hope he gets a good run injury free.
I’d hate to pick an Irish backrow for the World Cup if all are available.
Would the All Blacks develop Henderson doing “donkey work” or would they have him playing out of the ruck running at half-backs? I think the All Blacks would play a 6 that can clean out rucks.
In fairness , Ruddock is well able to clear out rucks and is abit more grizzled at 6 than Iain Henderson ,
I would go with Ruddock, but don’t be surprised if Scheimt goes for Henderson at 6 and picks Ruddock and Don Ryan on the bench ,
No matter where Henderson plays his talent is out of the ruck running at the gain line. If the “donkey work” still needs done who in the “rows” complements that?
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby/stephen-ferris-poised-to-make-return-to-playing-for-ulster-1-5914512
Think he should develop his game at lock Ireland have a wealth of options in the back row not as blessed in the second row with the ability to carry like hendo would love to see dom Ryan get more game time out an out open side so he is can carry and can bust guys with his tackling
Be nice to see him develop more as lock Ireland have unreal options in the back row we don’t have as many options in the second row department and Henderson could develop like a bakkies Botha and be a real carrying threat from the second row and it makes sense with muller finishing at the end of season