Leinster may have been hoping to team them up but with confirmation that Ben Te'o will be leaving the province at the end of the season, a Robbie Henshaw shaped gap is very much in need of filling.
The rugby league convert has been one of the most impressive performers for Leinster this year after his debut season was disrupted by injuries. However, he has taken the decision to cut his spell in Ireland short in favour of a move to Worcester Warriors in the Aviva Premiership.
Ben Te'o to leave Leinster Rugby at the end of the season https://t.co/TWonmnbFCU pic.twitter.com/LNStWbV8OL
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) December 22, 2015
Given that the talk recently has been of the need to entice top quality overseas talent, losing Te'o is quite a blow to Leinster particularly when you consider that Worcester are not exactly one of England's big hitters. Currently sitting third from bottom of the Premiership, Warriors' ability to entice Te'o away from Leinster will undoubtedly be seen as a worry for all involved in Irish rugby.
While it's certainly a blow, Leo Cullen is confident that Te'o will be on top of his game for the remainder of the season.
Ben is a very popular player within the group and we believe that he can still play a big part in our season. He showed in his last season with the Rabbitohs that he has the skill set to apply himself brilliantly in delivering some big performances on the way to helping his club win the NRL title in the full knowledge that he was joining Leinster.
Henshaw's move to Leinster is looking more and more likely and although fans would have liked to have seen the pair alongside each other in the centre, Te'o's departure just makes the Irish international's arrival all the more of a necessity.
