Iain Henderson

UtopianWarlord

I think many of us would hope that he finds his place in the second row, but does this interview with Schmidt suggest that he sees him as more of a backrow? He's obviously saying he can play both positions well, but I think I detect a bias towards the backrow, or am I reading too much into it? Am also wondering if the POC comments are entirely in jest?
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/26487128

Hagz

I think you're reading too much into it. I don't think it's decided yet and I think it'll be left to Ulster to make that decision. I think they will ultimately play him in the second-row now with Muller leaving and the options they already have at 6. As for the O'Connell remark, that's just an attempt at a joke from Schmidt.

George Hook

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/26487678

Edit: Sorry, here's the headline before you click the link "Six Nations 2014: Ireland's Iain Henderson prefers back-row start"

awec

I enjoy watching him more in the back row because that's when he gets ball in hand most often.

19543261

As head of the Ian Henderson Fan Squad, naturally I vouch for his prospects in any of the 15 roles performed on the rugby pitch.

Gidea

I'm sure he'll slot in at both 2nd row and 6 for a lot of his career for ulster and Ireland, but I imagine (or i'd prefer) the majority will be at 6. He's pretty much Ferris 2.0 and he's still just a raw talent at 22.

Has Ferris or Henderson ever played 7 or 8 ?? could you imagine packing a backrow with Ferris,Henderson and SOB :eek:

CIARAN_BOYLE

Gidea wrote: »

I'm sure he'll slot in at both 2nd row and 6 for a lot of his career for ulster and Ireland, but I imagine (or i'd prefer) the majority will be at 6. He's pretty much Ferris 2.0 and he's still just a raw talent at 22.

Has Ferris or Henderson ever played 7 or 8 ?? could you imagine packing a backrow with Ferris,Henderson and SOB :eek:

Ferris has played both and Henderson has played 8

I reckon Henderson will play second row unless Ulster make a big signing in the second row.

bilston

Gidea wrote: »

I'm sure he'll slot in at both 2nd row and 6 for a lot of his career for ulster and Ireland, but I imagine (or i'd prefer) the majority will be at 6. He's pretty much Ferris 2.0 and he's still just a raw talent at 22.

Has Ferris or Henderson ever played 7 or 8 ?? could you imagine packing a backrow with Ferris,Henderson and SOB :eek:

I noticed Henderson ended up at 7 last week for Ulster but to be fair we had two flankers on the wing by the end of the game!

Ferris has played 7 a bit BT he is much much much much much much much much much much much much much much better at 6.

wp_rathead

19543261 wrote: »

As head of the Ian Henderson Fan Squad, naturally I vouch for his prospects in any of the 15 roles performed on the rugby pitch.

Natural heir to the 13 jersey

Morf

bilston wrote: »

I noticed Henderson ended up at 7 last week for Ulster but to be fair we had two flankers on the wing by the end of the game!

Ferris has played 7 a bit BT he is much much much much much much much much much much much much much much better at 6.

Harinodiquy has played all 3 positions quite a bit from what I've seen.

[Jackass]

Other than the fact that I just think he looks like a lesbian, he's a no-nonsense back-row player. I would love his future to be in the second-row, but he's such an athlete and natural footballer, he would almost be wasted trying to convert him to a second row.

Second row is where we need quality players coming through (internationally) and we have promising international back-rows and world class back-rows coming out of our arse, so it's a very tough call on where he should focus his future, I just hope he doesn't fall into the "versatile" crack of being neither.

Fantastic man to watch on a rugby pitch though. Really looking forward to seeing him start for Ireland and at 6. I think that's his best position and if he's going to specialise, it should be there, despite the competition from Ferris, O'Brien, O'Mahony, Murphy, McLoughlin & Ruddock for that one spot (:eek:)

connemara man

I look forward to Ulster matches when he's named. He's immense and a joy to watch

vienne86

wprathead wrote: »

Natural heir to the 13 jersey

Nah, Sean Cronin is going to slot seamlessly in there.

Fireball07

vienne86 wrote: »

Nah, Sean Cronin is going to slot seamlessly in there.

Looked class in that channel today fwiw!

oneshot0kill

[Jackass] wrote: »

Other than the fact that I just think he looks like a lesbian, he's a no-nonsense back-row player. I would love his future to be in the second-row, but he's such an athlete and natural footballer, he would almost be wasted trying to convert him to a second row.

Second row is where we need quality players coming through (internationally) and we have promising international back-rows and world class back-rows coming out of our arse, so it's a very tough call on where he should focus his future, I just hope he doesn't fall into the "versatile" crack of being neither.

Fantastic man to watch on a rugby pitch though. Really looking forward to seeing him start for Ireland and at 6. I think that's his best position and if he's going to specialise, it should be there, despite the competition from Ferris, O'Brien, O'Mahony, Murphy, McLoughlin & Ruddock for that one spot (:eek:)

I don't think it'd be a waste of his skill set if he went to the second row. Guys like Whitelock, Bekker and Simmons spring to mind fairly quickly who are second rows capable of running with great ball handling skills and are used in line with moves along the backs. With the amount of talent in the backrow it would make sense to up the skill and power in the second row where there is not as much talent. It's not the old days where the second row performs only one off ruck movements.

Morf

daniigan wrote: »

I don't think it'd be a waste of his skill set if he went to the second row. Guys like Whitelock, Bekker and Simmons spring to mind fairly quickly who are second rows capable of running with great ball handling skills and are used in line with moves along the backs. With the amount of talent in the backrow it would make sense to up the skill and power in the second row where there is not as much talent. It's not the old days where the second row performs only one off ruck movements.

Bekker is extremely quick for a lock once he gets 2 or 3 strides.

19543261

daniigan wrote: »

I don't think it'd be a waste of his skill set if he went to the second row. Guys like Whitelock, Bekker and Simmons spring to mind fairly quickly who are second rows capable of running with great ball handling skills and are used in line with moves along the backs. With the amount of talent in the backrow it would make sense to up the skill and power in the second row where there is not as much talent. It's not the old days where the second row performs only one off ruck movements.

I disagree, I'd be with Jackass on this. I think it'd be a total waste of someone with his natural ability if he was engaged elsewhere. And I say total because even one case of him doing anything other than carrying is a crime. He should be coming around corners and running onto plenty of ball. The mentality that Ah sure have him in second row and we'd have 4 back rowers then! doesnt really work.

Mahatma Geansai

Henderson doesn't have the skill set for the backrow at present. He's big and strong, but he lacks the nous/ability at the breakdown of a backrow (or a POC). He is much more suited to tackling, hitting rucks, and carrying. It would be a complete waste of resources to try and develop him as a backrow.

Zeebs

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

Henderson doesn't have the skill set for the backrow at present. He's big and strong, but he lacks the nous/ability at the breakdown of a backrow (or a POC). He is much more suited to tackling, hitting rucks, and carrying. It would be a complete waste of resources to try and develop him as a backrow.

I wouldn't have thought that POC is particularly noteworthy at the breakdown?

danthefan

Zeebs wrote: »

I wouldn't have thought that POC is particularly noteworthy at the breakdown?

He wins a few turnovers but mostly he's very good at clearing them out, and he hits a lot of rucks.

Mahatma Geansai

Zeebs wrote: »

I wouldn't have thought that POC is particularly noteworthy at the breakdown?

Can you point to any other lock in world rugby who forces as many turnovers or slows down as much ball as him? For a guy his height, he's probably unparalleled at jackalling.

Zeebs

danthefan wrote: »

He wins a few turnovers but mostly he's very good at clearing them out, and he hits a lot of rucks.

I suppose I was mostly focusing on turn overs.

Zeebs

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

Can you point to any other lock in world rugby who forces as many turnovers or slows down as much ball as him? For a guy his height, he's probably unparalleled at jackalling.

Mike McCarthy is much better at the break down IMO. And that's just in Ireland. Not having a go at POC by the way, just didn't think he was especially adept at turn overs although I probably shouldn't have focused on a single aspect of break down play.

rrpc

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

Can you point to any other lock in world rugby who forces as many turnovers or slows down as much ball as him? For a guy his height, he's probably unparalleled at jackalling.

Yep, himself and Toner have been bouncing around the top of the Demented Mole's ruck marks stats.

Just watching him hit rucks would make you wince. He just flies in at absolutely impossible body angles and knocks guys flying.

Mahatma Geansai

rrpc wrote: »

Yep, himself and Toner have been bouncing around the top of the Demented Mole's ruck marks stats.

Just watching him hit rucks would make you wince. He just flies in at absolutely impossible body angles and knocks guys flying.

I'm not talking about hitting rucks; that's a prerequisite of a lock. POC is brilliant at jackalling the opposition for turnovers/slowing the ball down. Irish rugby is known for its breakdown work and a big reason for that is for the last decade we've had POC/D'Arcy/BOD in the team, and they're much better than is expected for players in their positions.

Morf

Launchbury is right up there for turnovers.

.ak

Yeah POC manages to get over the ball very quickly for a tall fella.

.ak

But anyway, that's neither here nor there. A blindside flanker doesn't need to be over the ball, that's not their job. The sterotypical BS flanker is a carrier, and ruck hitter. Hendo would make a fine 6. He put in a decent shift on saturday as a BS flanker. Wouldn't have any issue with him getting more game time there.

Chief87

I think we will have to make him into a second row as we have plenty of good backrows and will be short of second rows after the world cup.

pickarooney

Greenandgoldrugby's description of Henderson is fantastic:

Ireland have brought in Gerber Baby candidate and vowel-monger Iain Henderson to fill for the injured O’Mahoney