Iain Henderson embracing challenge of 'new stage' in career

When Ireland head coach Andy Farrell announced his side for the opening round of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations against France, the inclusion of Joe McCarthy was one of the major talking points.

While the 22-year-old had played five times for Ireland before this year, including off the bench in the World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand, his first Six Nations start marked the beginning of a new era in the Irish second row.

The big story was that McCarthy had displaced his Leinster-co-captain James Ryan from the first XV, but beneath that there was also the absence of Iain Henderson from the matchday squad.

Even with a 6:2 split on the bench, the Ulster skipper had to be content as a travelling reserve in Marseille.

It's been a stop-start campaign for Henderson, who during the World Cup had played himself back into the starting team for Ireland, ahead of Ryan for the Pool B decider with Scotland in Paris.

After being left out against France, the 82-cap lock returned to the replacements bench for the win against Italy, before suffering a dislocated toe the following week when he played for his province in the URC, which kept him out of the Six Nations win over Italy.

With Ryan now ruled out for the rest of the championship due to a bicep injury, Henderson returned to the Irish bench for Saturday's defeat to England. The toe might not be fully healed, but at least it's strapped up.

"It's more shocking when you would have pushed off it, just because it felt like there was nothing there," he says of playing through the pain.

"When it's strapped and splinted and carbon-plated it's fine."

Farrell is due to name his team this afternoon for Saturday's finale against Scotland, and again, Henderson's spot is up for debate.

With Ciarán