Of all the talking points from Ireland’s Six Nations defeat to England, few got more airtime than the experiment of playing Robbie Henshaw at full-back.
Having won all but one of his 36 caps at centre – the exception being his debut against USA – Joe Schmidt threw something of a curve-ball by naming the 25-year-old at XV when Rob Kearney was still short of match sharpness following an injury lay-off.
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While initially a full-back by trade, Schmidt had converted the Athlone native to an outside centre with the 2015 World Cup on the horizon.
What transpired on the opening weekend of the tournament was a comprehensive defeat to Eddie Jones’ side, as Ireland were out-thought and Henshaw himself tried to find his bearings in the backfield position.
An injury in training the following week meant there was no choice but to cut short the experiment, but the player himself feels he could slot back in if required.
"It’s ultimately the coach’s call, but I’d be happy to play there again," he told RTÉ Sport. "It’s good to be able to play centre and full-back and step in when needed. I’d definitely be delighted to have a crack again.
"I have a taste of it and what’s needed at that level"
"Against England it was a tough day for the whole team, but moving from provincial to international is a step-up. At least I have a taste of it and what’s needed at that level."
For now it is a case of getting himself fully fit for Leinster.
Henshaw watched on from the stands as his team-mates edged past Ulster at the weekend and is nearing his own return to action.
The centre picked up a dead leg in training the week after the England defeat and a visit to London to see a specialist indicated the injury was more severe than first thought. It meant a longer spell on the sidelines, but now he is rearing to go.
"I’m back in full training this week and hopefully involved next week," he says.
So is he confident of pitching up against Toulouse in the European semi-final?
"At this moment in time I hope so. I’m expecting I will be fit for it."
The Irish international compared the encounter with Ulster as something comparable to a Test game, and added that a third clash with a rejuvenated Toulouse this season will bring its own challenges.
"They are a young team with some really exciting players. For them to go to Racing in Paris, with a man down for most of the game (and win), it was a pretty exceptional performance."
