Henshaw is picked to play against south africa

ROBBIE Henshaw has been named in the Ireland team to face South Africa at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

The Coosan native has been selected to play at No 12 - inside-centre - leaving Jared Payne to occupy the outside-centre role filled so well in recent years by the now retired Brian O’Driscoll.

There had been much speculation about whether Henshaw, formerly of Buccaneers, or New Zealand born Payne would take O’Driscoll’s shirt ahead of the meeting with the Springboks. However, Henshaw will undoubtedly be unconcerned about which player fills what role on Saturday, and instead, delighted to be picked by head coach Joe Schmidt in the starting team.

Henshaw has previously won three caps at senior level for Ireland including his debut appearance against the USA in June 2013.

The Connacht star has also been capped at U20 level by his country and has become a mainstay of his province’s side in the last couple of seasons. Henshaw also starred for the Marist College, Athlone in their Connacht Senior Cup success in 2012.

Ireland team to play South Africa, Saturday, November 8. 5pm.

15. Rob Kearney (Leinster)

14. Tommy Bowe (Ulster)

13. Jared Payne (Ulster)

12. Robbie Henshaw (Connacht)

11. Simon Zebo (Munster)

10. Jonny Sexton (Racing Metro)

9. Conor Murray (Munster)

1. Jack McGrath (Leinster)

2. Sean Cronin (Leinster)

3. Mike Ross (Leinster)

4. Devin Toner (Leinster)

5. Paul O’Connell (Munster, captain)

6. Peter O’Mahony (Munster)

7. Chris Henry (Ulster)

8. Jamie Heaslip (Leinster)

Replacements:

16 Richardt Strauss (Leinster)

17. Dave Kilcoyne (Munster)

18. Rodney Ah You (Connacht)

19. Mike McCarthy (Leinster)

20 Rhys Ruddock (Leinster)

21. Eoin Reddan (Leinster)

22. Ian Madigan (Leinster)

23. Felix Jones (Munster)