Live

Repeat: Off The Ball

02:00 AM-05:00 AM

Repeat: Off The Ball
Advertisement
Rugby

Rob Henshaw hopes Saturday's game won't be his last in Galway as a Connacht player

Saturday afternoon has the potential to be an emotional one for Rob Henshaw. The Ireland internat...



Rob Henshaw hopes Saturday'...
Rugby

Rob Henshaw hopes Saturday's game won't be his last in Galway as a Connacht player

Saturday afternoon has the potential to be an emotional one for Rob Henshaw.

The Ireland international knows he has at least two more games to play for Connacht before his move eastwards to Leinster at the end of the season. If Pat Lam's side don't beat Glasgow this weekend, it may prove to be Henshaw's last game for the province in Galway.

"I'm trying to keep it out of the head", Henshaw told Newstalk Sport. "I'll think about it after the game, depending on the result. It's been mentioned to me by family members. It's going to be an emotional day for me if it is to be like that."

Henshaw was speaking at the IRUPA Awards in Dublin where he lost out on the Player's Player of the Year award to Munster's CJ Stander. The 22-year-old didn't leave the awards empty handed though, as Connacht won the Moment of the Year award for their win over Munster in Limerick in November.

The Athlone native's season with Connacht has been disrupted by international commitments and injuries, having only played ten times for the province this campaign. Seven of those have come in the Pro12.

Henshaw made his debut for the province in 2012. Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie

Connacht need to beat Glasgow on Saturday, to ensure they will have home advantage in the play-off. Henshaw thinks that's imperative for the team if they are to reach the Murrayfield final on May 28th.

"It's a massive challenge going in against last year's champions. It's going to be a tough, tough task. If we get the win we get a home semi-final. We're into the the semis, but it would be more comfortable for us if we're going into a semi-final at home in The Sportsground. We'll give it a right crack at the weekend and give it our best shot."

If results were not to go their way at the weekend, Connacht would potentially face either a trip to Glasgow or across the M6 to Dublin to meet Leinster.

"Both are two very good teams and two difficult teams to break down. I think it would make a hell of a difference to us if were to get a home semi-final. If the outcome isn't to be, we'll travel to either one or the other and see what to happens. The main thing is trying to get that home semi-final, to make life a little bit easier for us to get to the final."

Saturday's game has been sold out since the beginning of the week, with fans from all over the province, clamouring to grab those golden tickets. Henshaw is hoping it won't be his last time running out under the Clan Terrace in the Connacht green.

Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!

Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.


Read more about

Rugby