And so it begins.
Robbie Henshaw has begun the dance that will almost certainly end with him playing in red or blue next season.
Connacht are top of the PRO12, proudly looking down on Munster and Leinster, but that unusual circumstance did not stop the Ireland centre from beginning the familiar dance with the IRFU.
The 22-year-old Athlone man has long been tipped for a big future outside his native province and, speaking to the Irish Independent, he began the process of preparing the Connacht Clan for his inevitable departure.
Thomond Park or the RDS seem the likeliest destination but, so as not to deviate from the tried and trusted Irish rugby player contract negotiation playbook (IRPCNP), Henshaw also mentioned the temptations of the Top 14.
We wouldn’t want the IRFU thinking this next contract is a slam dunk, would we?
“I am not saying no to it. It definitely is (appealing). There have been a few contacts to my agent. There has been a bit of outside interest, there has been people asking from all angles,” said Henshaw of a move to France.
“It is still an option, but I am still relatively young so I think it is a bit early yet. I do, I like the French rugby, it is a fast game. I like the offloading game that they play. Certainly it is something that I would be interested in. It is definitely an attractive brand of rugby.
“Johnny [Sexton] said that if you want to play for Ireland he wouldn’t advise that you go to France because they demand so much of you. It is just, such a tough season.”
So close Robbie, but that last line is a big neon sign screaming “MUNSTER OR LEINSTER!!”
Contract season was kicked off last week by the rumours linking Simon Zebo with a move to Toulouse and, while both the Munster man and Henshaw would love to have a more successful World Cup campaign to negotiate on the back of, this is the time of year when deals get done.
Outside of the Gallic red herring, Henshaw was pretty straight-forward about his need to sort out his future.
“I am not sure what it is going to happen for the next few years. I suppose, I am going to have to have a look at my rugby and my development as a player. I am not sure to be honest. It is still a decision I have to make,” said Henshaw. “I could end up leaving Connacht, we will have to see. But I just need to make sure that people know that it might be an option, that I might have to leave.
“It is my choice. The IRFU can try and encourage me and open up with a couple of options, but at the end of the day I am out of contract at the end of the year. It is up in the air, it is wherever I want to go, it is my option.”
“I want it done before Christmas, please God. But we will see what happens. As of now, no one has approached me so hopefully I will expecting it soon enough so we will see what happens,” he added. “I said to everyone that I wanted to leave it off until after the World Cup. To be perfectly honest, it hasn’t started yet. I am still waiting on the IRFU to approach me, so I presume it will be happening soon enough.”
Connacht coach Pat Lam would hate to lose his one starting Irish Test player, with Henshaw reminding all at the Sportsgrounds of his worth with his first try in a year against Treviso at the weekend.
With the IRFU paying his wages either way, Henshaw will have to choose between the red and the blue corner on the basis of opportunities to play in his preferred position of inside centre and the respective province’s hopes of success.
Or he might shock us all and pitch up in France.
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