IT REALLY IS a lot of fun to watch Iain Henderson play rugby, or more specifically, carry the ball. He might only be 23 but the forward has a destructive running style that usually takes a few more years to develop.
He is in the select group of Irish forwards like Cian Healy and Sean O’Brien who do more than just eke out a yard or two in the tight. His try against Leinster on Friday was a perfect example of what Henderson brings to the table, and why he can be such a potent weapon for Ireland at the World Cup.
There was a hole next to the Leinster ruck and the Ulsterman showed great awareness to bend his run accordingly.
Speaking to Ulster rugby after the game, Henderson credited Paddy Jackson’s vision for helping him a develop his running lines.
“We always say amongst ourselves, with a world class ten you just need to run a hard line and he will pick the right man more than likely,” Henderson said.
“He is unbelievable at doing that so we just have to trust him and hope the ball comes to you.”
Ulster are in a strong position in the league and are firmly entrenched in the playoff spots at the moment. The only thing left to decide is whether they will play home or away in the semi-final.
Henderson sounded reasonably bullish about his side’s form at the moment.
“We came into this inter-pro series and we had Connacht, and we turned them over down there and we turned Leinster over here,” Henderson said.
“All our focus is on the training week next week going into that Munster game and that will be massive for us. We know that if we turn them over we will be closer to that home semi-final that we are relishing.”
