Special.

Former Connacht centre Robbie Henshaw was back in Galwey this week – but this time he was wearing a different shade of green in the familiar surroundings of the Sportsground.

Henshaw, along with the rest of the Ireland squad trained in Galwey this week at Connacht’s open, holding an open session on front of a packed house yesterday morning.

And for Henshaw – it was good to be back, and great to see the province thriving.

“It’s good to be back,” Henshaw told us

“Great training, great weather and a great week here, so a nice bit of work done this week and great to see some old faces and old friends here.”

“I think the growth in the region has taken a big step forward, and even the growth here in the club – the changing rooms are completely different, the gym, there’s a lot of different things that have happened since I was here four years ago. It’s great to see them [Connacht] taking big steps forward and growing as a region.”

Henshaw will play in his second World Cup later this year, having represented Ireland in 2015. But he’s well aware that he needs to ensure he stays fit after a troublesome season with injury.

“The World Cup yeah, it’s a special, a special feeling being involved in it. There’s no other feeling than playing in a World Cup for your country.” Henshaw said with a smile on his face
“So yeah, to be involved and to be I supposed, in the run up and involved in this squad is a pleasure. We’re just going to keep trying to get better.”
“Firstly, it’s a big goal of mine to get back playing. It was a bit of a frustrating year last year in green for me, but the knocks and the bruises come with the sport. But I was delighted to finish off the season on a high with some silverware with Leinster so that was a positive. And it’s kind of kicked me into gear for pre-season now and I’m confident just to keep going and keep pushing on now, and hopefully get back into a green shirt.”

Canterbury and the IRFU have unveiled the new Irish Rugby World Cup 2019 team and supporter range. Headlined by a jersey like no other incorporating advanced technology and cutting-edge design, the range will be worn by the Ireland Rugby team in Japan as the team competes on the world stage.

The new Ireland Rugby World Cup 2019 range is available from shop.irishrugby.ie and canterbury.com.