Robbie Henshaw finds himself in a bit of a strange spot when it comes to this year's Six Nations.
Having been Ireland's best player last season and started all three of the Lions' test against South Africa, he had quite the start to 2021. However, injuries have hampered his progress in recent months.
The Leinster man featured in only one of Ireland's autumn internationals due to injury, while he has also been limited to just three appearances for the province this season.
As a result, Henshaw has suddenly found himself battling for his place in Andy Farrell's Ireland team. He will be on the outside looking in this weekend, with Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose set to start at centre in Ireland's Six Nations opener against Wales.
In fact, Henshaw has not even made the bench, with Ulster's James Hume instead named among the replacements.
That is not to say Henshaw is out of the reckoning. He is quickly regaining his fitness and will certainly be in contention for the trip to Paris next week. In saying that, it is remarkable to think he is no longer an automatic starter for Ireland as things stand.
Robbie Henshaw's Six Nations standing
Speaking on The Takeaway, former Ireland centre Gordon D'Arcy said that Henshaw's current predicament is evidence of just how quickly things can change in rugby.
There will be a logic to it. We will see that retrospectively with who covers the wing and what other changes come in.
Henshaw was injured for the New Zealand game, came in for the Argentina game. He just hasn't had any games.
Hume has been irresistibly good up north. He has arguably been the form centre and I'm sure was pushing Garry Ringrose very close.
It's always a difficult one for a coach. Do you reward form, or do you reward talent or experience? Henshaw was so important in the summer, but six months is a lifetime in rugby. It can bring you up to the heights, but it can also bring you back down.
This is the first time that they've had to pick from three healthy centres, four in this case. We are getting an insight to where the pecking order is this week, but we know it will change at the drop of a hat.
You can watch the chat, which also features former Wales international Lee Byrne, in full here.
Ireland will be hoping that this team will get them off to a winning start in this year's Six Nations, although it is highly unlikely that the starting team will remain unchanged throughout the competition.
Henshaw and others will certainly be given the chance to put their hand up for selection.
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