Robbie Henshaw hopes to be fit for Ireland’s second-round Six Nations clash with France at the Aviva Stadium on February 11.
Henshaw was left out of the initial Ireland squad as he is still working his way back from a wrist injury, and while the centre will not be available for the tournament opener against Wales, if all goes well, he could be back for the visit of France.
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen revealed Henshaw was very close to proving his fitness in time to be included by Andy Farrell. However, the decision was made to err on the side of caution and give the Athlone native extra time to recover fully.
“He was pretty touch and go,” Cullen said, ahead of his side’s Champions Cup meeting with Racing 92 at the Aviva this afternoon (3.15).
“He probably just hasn’t done enough yet, but he’ll join up with them at some stage, is my understanding. What exact week that is, we’ll wait and see, but he’s not a million miles away. It’s a bit vague that. Obviously, it won’t be for the first game, but I think it will be pretty close after that.”
Meanwhile, Tadhg Furlong has handed Ireland boss Farrell a significant boost by confirming he is on track to overcome a calf injury in time for the trip to Cardiff.
“I hope so. That’s the plan or back available for selection anyway,” the influential tighthead said.
“We have to see how we go. You have to hit certain markers and stuff like that along the way.
“It wasn’t major or anything like that. Just one of those things that can happen.”
