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Headache for Ireland as injury threatens Robbie Henshaw's World Cup just like it did in 2015

Robbie Henshaw has been declared fit to start his first match for Ireland at the 2019 World Cup

Ireland’s World Cup ambitions have suffered a potentially grievous injury blow just over a week before they commence their campaign in Japan against Scotland. 

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RugbyPass understands that not only is Robbie Henshaw likely to miss the all-important clash versus the Scots in Yokohama on September 22, it is also possible that his participation in the entire tournament is under threat after he suffered a hamstring tear. 

Ireland flew out for the finals on Wednesday after Henshaw had seemingly proven his fitness with a fine performance in his first match of the season, last Saturday’s Dublin warm-up win over Wales. 

However, history is now set to repeat itself as it appears the centre will not be available to face the Scots in the 2019 opener similar to what happened in 2015 when he missed the opening two games of that tournament with another hamstring problem.

The 26-year-old eventually returned to start the remaining three games of that five-match campaign, featuring against Italy, France and in the quarter-final with Argentina, but there is now a concern that he might not even get on the field at any stage in Japan due to the severity of this particular hamstring issue.

 

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If Henshaw is unavailable to face the Scots, Ireland, who are currently based in Chiba until next Wednesday’s switch to Yokohama, would have to pair near ever-present No12 Bundee Aki with either Garry Ringrose or Chris Farrell.

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Aki partnered Ringrose in the humiliating warm-up defeat to England at Twickenham before linking up with Farrell the following weekend in the win over Wales in Cardiff. The New Zealand born centre then lined up alongside Henshaw last weekend in Dublin in a contest where that pairing looked the most impressive of the three that were used across the three games.

Will Addison would be seen as the favourite to be called up if Henshaw is ultimately ruled out of the tournament. He was due to play for Ulster in a friendly at Glasgow on Saturday but he was dropped to the bench shortly before kick-off and went unused.

Until Henshaw damaged his hamstring against Wales in what was only his second game for Ireland in 2019 (his first since the February loss to England), Joey Carbery had been Ireland’s only major injury concern leading into the must-win World Cup opener against the Scots.

The back-up out-half injured his ankle in the first warm-up match versus Italy on August 10. Keith Earls was injured last weekend against Wales but was cleared to travel to Japan.

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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