Iain Henderson had a tongue-in-cheek response to Paul O’Connell’s suggestion that he was Rory Best’s “servant”.
O’Connell made the remarks when asked about playing with Ulster prop Henderson, who he also described as so laid-back as to be nearly horizontal.
“I think the old men in the squad sort of need people to bits and pieces for them,” Henderson joked with reporters after they told him what O’Connell said.
“It keeps them right, they’d be lost without us.”
Video by Dan Linehan
Henderson is determined to savour his World Cup debut and said nerves will be left behind as soon as the players step out on the pitch
“Yeah, I think everyone will enjoy it,” he said when asked if he would be able to enjoy the game against Canada. “Obviously there are nerves building up to a game and some people differ from others in how they handle those nerves.
“But I think as soon as everyone is out there on the pitch they know they are in their element.
“That’s why Joe (Schmidt) picked that team, it will pay off massively.”
Shaun Cronin, Head Sports Reporter chatting with Irish Examiner Rugby Correspondent Simon Lewis during the Captain’s Run at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Video by Dan Linehan