Ireland coach Joe Schmidt may surprise the establishment with midfielder Robbie Henshaw possibly taking the field at full-back when Ireland face England in Dublin this Saturday. This comes after Henshaw allegedly trained at full back last week in the absence of regular full-back Rob Kearney.
Even though he has not started a match at no.
15 since 2016, Henshaw has proven experience in playing full-back. He made his
breakthrough at provincial level at full-back during the 2012/13 season and he
made his debut for Ireland at full-back against the USA in 2013. He has since
become established at centre, representing both Ireland and Leinster in this
position.
A hamstring injury in the run up to last years
win over Argentina, paved the way for Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose to take
over the reins as the midfield pairing for Ireland. They have since proven to
be a formidable midfield pairing, with Aki especially proving indispensable.
With Henshaw’s return and Aki and Ringrose
being fit and ready for Six Nations duty, Coach Schmidt has somewhat of a
selection dilemma.
Schmidt may potentially accommodate Henshaw, Aki and Ringrose by omitting Kearney and moving Henshaw to full-back. Stalwart Kearney has had a niggling injury that kept him out of 3/4 last Leinster games and the national training camp.
Talk of this surprise move comes amid talks a few weeks ago that Eddie Jones might move Exeter wing to open side for England during the championship also this switch is a lot more believable.
