HAVING NAVIGATED THE choppy seas against France at the weekend, Ireland are now looking towards their next Six Nations test against Wales in two weeks’ time.
A win under the Cardiff lights would leave Ireland firmly in contention ahead of the final weekend and an Aviva Stadium date with England which has long been earmarked as the potential championship decider.
Robbie Henshaw is looking towards Ireland’s next assignment with one eye fixed on the threat poised by Welsh midfielders Scott Williams and Jonathan Davies.
Leinster teammate Garry Ringrose has played alongside Henshaw in all three Six Nations Tests so far, after impressing in his Test debut against Australia last year.
With their midfield partnership still in its formative stages, Henshaw predicts that the Welsh duo could be their toughest challenge of the campaign so far.
Jonathan Davies and Scott Williams. PA Wire / PA Images
PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images
“I think Scott Williams is playing good ball and obviously Jonathan Davies is a massive threat in defence and attack. He’s a physical man and has a good range of passing and offloading skills.
“We’ll have to be on our games because it will potentially be the trickiest test for myself and Garry, if we’re playing, against them. The two boys play for Scarlets and they know each other well, so we’ll have to be on our toes.”
Commenting on his working relationship with Ringrose, Henshaw says that they’re trying to get it to a level where they have an almost telepathic understanding of each other on the pitch.
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“We feel like we are growing. We are getting better and better. We are working our socks off both in attack and defence just to get on the ball and to put in big hits and do the best we can.
“Our work rates would be pretty high as well in trying to lead in defence and trying to get on the ball in attack. We’re just growing and trying to get better and better.
Colm O'Neill / INPHO
Colm O'Neill / INPHO / INPHO
“Just being able to understand each other’s actions without having to talk, that’s another area we are trying to improve on so being able to feed off each other.
“That’s another level again but we are definitely improving and we’re getting more comfortable.”
He added: ”(I) kind of feel I’ve a bit more experience as I’ve been around a bit and with Garry coming in for the Irish shirt, he has done exceptionally well.
“He is pure class. If I can give him something in particular… if he wants to bounce things off me I’m there to answer, but I think we are working well as a unit. We are doing our analysis well. We train well during the week.”
But Henshaw says that won’t deter them from seeking a win in front of a home crowd.
“Yeah, it’s going to be a tough challenge. Going to the Millennium and playing is always tough.
“We know they will be hungry to get a win and we know they always turn it around at home… we’ll have to have our homework done and we’ll have to come out attacking them.
“I’m probably more excited playing under lights Friday night. It will probably be the first Friday night game as well so I’m really looking forward to it.”
'It will potentially be the trickiest test for myself and Garry'
HAVING NAVIGATED THE choppy seas against France at the weekend, Ireland are now looking towards their next Six Nations test against Wales in two weeks’ time.
A win under the Cardiff lights would leave Ireland firmly in contention ahead of the final weekend and an Aviva Stadium date with England which has long been earmarked as the potential championship decider.
Robbie Henshaw is looking towards Ireland’s next assignment with one eye fixed on the threat poised by Welsh midfielders Scott Williams and Jonathan Davies.
Leinster teammate Garry Ringrose has played alongside Henshaw in all three Six Nations Tests so far, after impressing in his Test debut against Australia last year.
With their midfield partnership still in its formative stages, Henshaw predicts that the Welsh duo could be their toughest challenge of the campaign so far.
“I think Scott Williams is playing good ball and obviously Jonathan Davies is a massive threat in defence and attack. He’s a physical man and has a good range of passing and offloading skills.
“We’ll have to be on our games because it will potentially be the trickiest test for myself and Garry, if we’re playing, against them. The two boys play for Scarlets and they know each other well, so we’ll have to be on our toes.”
Commenting on his working relationship with Ringrose, Henshaw says that they’re trying to get it to a level where they have an almost telepathic understanding of each other on the pitch.
“We feel like we are growing. We are getting better and better. We are working our socks off both in attack and defence just to get on the ball and to put in big hits and do the best we can.
“Our work rates would be pretty high as well in trying to lead in defence and trying to get on the ball in attack. We’re just growing and trying to get better and better.
“Just being able to understand each other’s actions without having to talk, that’s another area we are trying to improve on so being able to feed off each other.
“That’s another level again but we are definitely improving and we’re getting more comfortable.”
He added: ”(I) kind of feel I’ve a bit more experience as I’ve been around a bit and with Garry coming in for the Irish shirt, he has done exceptionally well.
“He is pure class. If I can give him something in particular… if he wants to bounce things off me I’m there to answer, but I think we are working well as a unit. We are doing our analysis well. We train well during the week.”
Wales are effectively out of the running in terms of contesting the Six Nations title following their defeat to Scotland on Saturday.
But Henshaw says that won’t deter them from seeking a win in front of a home crowd.
“Yeah, it’s going to be a tough challenge. Going to the Millennium and playing is always tough.
“We know they will be hungry to get a win and we know they always turn it around at home… we’ll have to have our homework done and we’ll have to come out attacking them.
“I’m probably more excited playing under lights Friday night. It will probably be the first Friday night game as well so I’m really looking forward to it.”
Additional reporting by Sean Farrell.
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