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Henry trains at Carton House yesterday. ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Groundhog

Henry catapulted into starring role as Ireland’s breakdown chief

The Ulster openside has been highlighted by Joe Schmidt and his teammates as a key man.

THE EXPECTATION WAS that an Irish back row of Jamie Heaslip, Peter O’Mahony and Sean O’Brien would lead the charge against Samoa tomorrow, but the latter is instead being readied to impose himself in the second half.

In his place, Ulster man Chris Henry will be leading Joe Schmidt’s side into the breakdown battle. Given the Samoan’s ability in that area, their sheer aggression at ruck time, it now appears that Henry could be the key man to Ireland’s chances of victory.

That certainly seems to be the impression given by his teammates and coach this week, with a constant stream of praise flowing in the 29-year-old’s direction. There has always been something of the unsung hero in Henry’s style, unfussy and yet so effective.

He combines technical excellence with sheer persistence, as Joe Schmidt explains: ”I think Chris is one of those pests at the breakdown. He gets in, he hangs on, he’s hard to get rid of and it’ll be nice that it’s on our side rather than on somebody else’s side this time.”

The Kiwi coach will indeed by pleased to count Henry as an ally tomorrow, having been critical of the negative effect he had on Leinster’s attacking game in recent times. Schmidt points out that Henry has improved what he needed to and the Ireland boss was keen to reward the flanker’s excellent form.

“I think he’s working really hard on being nice and clear in his release and then going back on [the ball], which was a problem towards the end of last season for him.

imageHenry will be tasked with stealing the ball from Samoa. ©INPHO/Billy Stickland.

“I think he’s been very correct in how he’s been getting in on the ball, looking to poach opposition ball post-tackle. So there’s been work in progress that he’s done a really good job with. You want to reward people who are working toward improving their game.”

Lining up alongside Henry in the back row tomorrow is Heaslip, and the No. 8 will be hoping that his openside’s selfless work at the ruck area will free him up to do more of the ball carrying he first made his name with. The Ireland vice-captain was gushing in his admiration for Henry, again through the form of a negatively-composed compliment.

“He always bugged any back row play who didn’t play for Ulster. I’ve played against Chris at most levels now coming up and it’s actually only at international level that we’ve played with each other.

He’s a great player, got a really good work ethic. He’s just a nuisance at the breakdown and at the tackle. At the contact zone he’s very, very good at getting to the ground, getting back up and showing that clear release to the ref and then getting on the ball.

“Like Joe said, he’s on it all the time. He might not necessarily get the poach, but he’ll make you commit two or three guys to that ruck as well as the tackler. So that’s four of your team versus maybe two of the defensive team.”

Of course, it would have been a shock to hear Schmidt and Heaslip giving Henry anything other than the normal confidence boosting declarations of faith, but it is certain that the number seven will be a frequent sight in Dublin tomorrow evening. Heaslip says Henry’s work rate is unrivaled and under-appreciated.

“He’s very good at the dark arts of a seven. As a back row going against him, you always have to keep an eye on him when you’re coming to a ruck. To be honest, you have to target him. He doesn’t give up, I can tell you that. He’ll go from minute one to minute 80.”

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