When Stephen Ferris called time on a playing career that was cut way too short, Ireland were understandably affected. Not that our back-row options are too bad as is but someone of Ferris' stature was always going to be missed.
Step forward Iain Henderson. Ferris' fellow Ulster man has been earmarked as a potential key man for Ireland for a while now and what he's showing from the bench over the past few games hasn't damaged that possibility at all.
Case in point his performance after coming on against England with 15 minutes or so to go. With Sean O'Brien having departed and England beginning to turn the screw, Ireland were in need of some added metal in the breakdown and Henderson duly delivered.
O'Brien was justifiably lauded for his beastly ruck clearout against the French and although this isn't quite as spectacular, it still deserves some lauding. England's George Kruis was the rabbit in the headlights.
The 42's Murray Kinsella summed it up perfectly.
Being the guard isn't too much fun when Iain Henderson is around! pic.twitter.com/bx5sEo8Ko1
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) March 3, 2015
