'Johnny is a big guy and he can make his own tackles' Henshaw relishing the physical French

Rory Keane reports from Celtic Manor

ROBBIE HENSHAW WILL be a vital cog in Ireland’s defensive line against France on Sunday.

Operating between Johnny Sexton and Keith Earls, the Connacht centre will be entrusted with shutting down the French trio of Frédéric Michalak, Wesley Fofana and Mathieu Bastareaud.

It’s a triumvirate that boasts an abundance of pace, power and flair.

“I see plenty of pace. Certainly, from Michalak, he’s liable to do anything, he’s that type of a player who can pull something out of nothing and he definitely uses his kicking skills and his little dinks and his grubbers to pull a try out of nowhere,” said Henshaw.

“I think we just need to be connected. Myself, Johnny and Earlsy. We just need to talk up in defence and get off the line and put them under pressure and hopefully things won’t go his way.”

Philippe Saint-Andre’s squad have made no secret this week of their desire to unsettle Sexton at the Millennium Stadium.

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Henshaw, however, has no worries about his team-mate and insists that Sexton, after two punishing seasons in the Top 14, is well able to look after himself: “Johnny is a big guy and he can make his own tackles. If there is a chance for me to get in there and make a hit I will, but I have to worry about things outside as well. I know Johnny is really comfortable making his own hits.”

“We have to own up and make our tackles. Myself and Johnny know one other, we are able to make our own individual hits as well. We won’t be too threatened by anyone. We need to front up and make our hits. We need to get off the line and build our line speed, it needs to be a notch better than last week. We can certainly  put them under more pressure and go and attack the French.”

You could bet your house on Bastareaud charging down Sexton’s channel off the first successful French set-piece during the clash in Cardiff.

It’s a challenge that Henshaw is relishing.

“Absolutely,” said Henshaw emphatically. “They’ll be coming down our channel but we have to watch quick ball being distributed out to Fofana who is really good on his feet, he’s got a really good sharp step back inside so I’ll have to be working inside the wing and our outside centre.”

Henshaw will resume his central partnership with Keith Earls after the pair linked up last weekend against the Azzurri.

Ireland secured the Six Nations championship with Henshaw and Jared Payne operating in midfield, but the Ulster centre’s foot issues have opened the door for Earls once more.

“I played beside Keith last week and I have a really good understanding with him,” Henshaw added. “Himself and Jared have been doing a lot of swapping in on Wednesday so I’ve got a good week training with Keith last week as well.

“We’ve been building on that. The two of them are very similar players and Keith is very exciting in attack and he’s really smart in defence so there is not much difference.”

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