LEINSTER SENIOR COACH Stuart Lancaster has given an injury update on Leinster centre Robbie Henshaw.
It was announced yesterday that Henshaw picked up a wrist injury. The injury will keep the Ireland star out of action until after the New Year.
Henshaw will miss provincial derbies against Ulster, Munster, and Connacht, as well as Champions Cup games against Racing 92 and Gloucester.
This comes after the Ireland star was ruled out of Ireland's Autumn Nations games with a hamstring issue. Henshaw played five-minutes in the South Africa win before being taken off.
In Sport: Leinster senior coach Stuart Lancaster says he is disappointed to lose Robbie Henshaw after it was confirmed he will be out of action until the new year #VMNews | @VMSportIE | @leinsterrugby pic.twitter.com/yEJJK9wfkx
— Virgin Media News (@VirginMediaNews) November 28, 2022
“His hamstring is on the mend as well so it’s going to be both at the same time type of thing," said Lancaster.
"His wrist isn’t a major thing, but if the hamstring is going to keep him out, we thought he might as well get the wrist done at the same time. We’re pretty optimistic he’s going to be back early in the new year. He’s certainly in good form, good spirits. He was in today."
“Obviously, it’s disappointing to lose him for Europe, but he’ll be back hopefully for the following rounds in Europe," added the English coach.
"We have got the interpros post-Europe against Munster and Connacht. He should be back soon after that and we’ve obviously got Frawls [Ciaran Frawley] as well, who would be an option at 12, and Charlie Ngatai who is pretty adept.”
The Leinster squad trained at Old Belvedere yesterday with a number of Irish international returning to the team.
One of those players was Ross Byrne, who won the game for Ireland with penalty in the dying minutes of the game against Australia in the Aviva.
Lancaster had his say on the kick.
"When he was given his opportunity before, I think it was a 2019 World Cup warm-up game and they were absolutely smashed at Twickenham," explained the Leinster man.
“But as soon as he put the ball down (against Australia), I was absolutely confident he was going to kick it.
“Hopefully, it leads to more opportunities for him.
“His consistency for Leinster can’t be questioned. I think he does everything really well. He makes the team tick, there is no doubt about that.
“I think his core skills are very good, his passing, catching off both hands, his understanding of the game is excellent.
He also believes that Byrne will get more chances for Ireland despite Johnny Sexton's importance to the side
"He’s certainly experienced and played in all the big games,"
"I’d imagine Andy will probably go with something similar.
"There's someone like Ciarán who can play 10 and 12, Joey who can play 10 and 15, Ross can be an out and out 10 but can play 12, Johnny can play 12 but Johnny would probably stay at 10.
"You need a bit of versatility in your squad. Jack Crowley can play 10 and 15, can’t he?
"That versatility is going to be important because you saw how attritional and tough some of the games were in November. The South Africa game was so physical.
"It’s going to be competitive."
Leinster play Ulster this Saturday at 7.35pm
❄️ Ice cold from @Ross__Byrne ❄️
Nailing the big moment to take the win 🎯#AutumnNationsSeries | #IREvAUS pic.twitter.com/uU5ZqD9YRy— Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 19, 2022
