Robbie Henshaw could be next major star to exit Leinster

Ireland and Lions inside-centre Robbie Henshaw could finish his career away from Leinster after being marketed as available for a move following next year’s World Cup in Australia.

Athlone-born Henshaw, who celebrated his 33rd birthday in June, has played over 120 games for Leinster since he joined them from Connacht a decade ago, winning four Pro 14 crowns and a United Rugby Championship title.

A key player for his country for many years, he has been capped 85 times, winning five Six Nations Championships and the Grand Slam twice in 2018 and 2023, while he picked up four Lions caps in New Zealand in 2017 and South Africa in 2021.

Henshaw is known for his carrying, defence and being safe under the high ball. However, he has had fitness issues, and a knee injury forced him out of Ireland’s Six Nations campaign earlier this year.

He made one appearance last month for Andy Farrell’s side in the Nations Championship, scoring a try in the 36-20 win over Eddie Jones’s Japan at Newcastle Knights’ McDonald Jones Stadium home.

It is not the first time that Henshaw’s CV has been doing the rounds of Top 14 sides. Two years ago, before he signed his last contract, Toulon failed with an ambitious bid to lure him to the Côte d’Azur while Toulouse were also interested.

He admitted that even though he had offers from across the Channel, he had unfinished business with Leinster and Ireland, hoping to make Farrell’s squad for a fourth World Cup after injuries restricted him in the 2019 and 2023 tournaments.

“It was kinda down to how performance was going for me and where I stood within the team and how I was getting on within the team. There were a few offers, but it was easy for me to stay,” he told the Irish Times.

Even though French clubs are growing increasingly weary of Irish players getting into advanced talks and then not moving. Henshaw is likely to attract offers from clubs.