THE IRFU HAS confirmed that Robbie Henshaw will join Leinster on a three-year contract this summer.
Henshaw has progressed onto a national IRFU contract for the first time and his new central deal will run until after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
The 22-year-old had the option of staying in Connacht on his new IRFU deal, or indeed could have joined Munster, but has instead decided to move east next season.
Henshaw is a product of the Connacht academy and has developed into a vital member of Pat Lam’s senior squad, but will leave at the end of the current campaign.
Henshaw’s capture is a major one for Leinster, whose fans will be excited at the prospect of the centre lining out alongside Johnny Sexton and Garry Ringrose. However, many Connacht supporters will be bitterly disappointed at losing Henshaw.
Commenting on the transfer, IRFU performance director David Nucifora said:
“I am disappointed for Connacht that Robbie has decided to leave but pleased for Irish rugby that he has committed to a further three years. I know that the decision Robbie has taken to move from Connacht is not one he has taken lightly.”
For his part, Henshaw thanked Connacht again and stated his excitement about moving to Leinster.
“I would like to thank Connacht Rugby, the IRFU and Leinster for allowing me time to consider my future,” said Henshaw in the IRFU’s press release. “This has been a long and difficult process and while I am sorry to be leaving Connacht I look forward to the next chapter of my rugby career at Leinster.
“The support I have enjoyed from the fans in the Sportsground and throughout the province is something that I really value and I want to thank them for four great years.”
Finally, Leinster head coach Leo Cullen expressed his pleasure at signing the Ireland international.
“We are delighted to have secured Robbie’s signature for the next three seasons. Robbie is a huge talent and we have all seen that over the last few weeks and months with Ireland in the RBS 6 Nations and during the World Cup.
“We look forward to welcoming him into Leinster when this season is over and I am sure that our supporters would echo that view.”
He’s right. And its annoying the way Klopp is treated by the English media like the second coming of Jebus just coz he’s a “right on” guy, but hasn’t actually achieved anything yet
In fairness to Klopp, he has managed to turn a bang average squad into title challengers while maintaining an entertaining style of play.
The high tempo style may cost them in the run in though with tiring legs and all that.
Did he not win the Bundesliga twice and get to a champions league final with Dortmund?
What with one game a week most weeks ?? Behave!
Mark, I think he was talking not achieving anything at Liverpool yet.
Of course Liverpool won,t the league, thats not their thing. Might top league for a couple of weeks then top clubs take over at the business end of things
No $hit sherlock !!!
Only saying what Klopp has already said himself. Would require too many good teams to have extended bad runs as it stands, and with the weaknesses in the squad he inherited. The likes of Matip, Klavern (and even Mane) will be better next season.. But when you see how well some of the new players have integrated already, and then the improvement in for for the like of Lallana, whatever about winning PL titles he’s certainly building a formidable LFC challenge to other contenders….
Next year is Liverpools year
@Irishoversea: don’t know about that but certainly with Klopp at the helm, and extra revenue from 15,000 extra bums on seats there is every possibility that LFC will be consistently contending for major honours over the next couple of seasons.
Reality is only one team can win every year, so even with all the improvements you still need a big dollop of luck (injuries, schedul etc..) to pick up the silverware…
Nothing brings out the idiots better than a Liverpool thread….. Beating there chests when there own team is beating up nobodies, much with the help of terrible officiating…..
“their”
@Aaron Hynes: yes, your right. Great accomplishment.
@William Kavanagh: you’re
ah dave don’t resort to that nonesence
*Nonsense* couldn’t resist!