'it will be incredibly special ' - Henderson proud to fill in as Ireland captain

Iain Henderson will lead Ireland out as captain for the second time tonight, when Andy Farrell's side host Italy.

This time it will be different though.

The Ulster skipper was initially installed as Irish captain for the Six Nations visit of France in 2021, on a day when Johnny Sexton was injured and regular stand-ins James Ryan and Peter O'Mahony were also unavailable.

One of the biggest honours of Henderson's career, it was played out in front of an empty stadium. Tonight against Italy, he'll get to do it the right way in front of more than 42,000 people, and in particular in front of friends and family.

"Don't get me wrong, the first time was incredibly special," the 31-year-old says.

"That was against France and it was a tough game.

"That was one of the those that got away from us on the day but it will be incredibly special to have my family at this, and like I said to be able to play with the three guys winning their first caps."

Henderson (above) is the latest in a long line of Ulstermen to captain Ireland, following on from the likes of Rory and Simon Best, David Humphreys, Paddy Johns, Willie Anderson and the great Willie John McBride.

"Obviously Besty [Rory Best] was massive in terms of me developing in my professional career.

"He was massive for me in terms of understanding the way he liked to lead, watching him lead; when Johann Muller was captain [of Ulster], Rory was still one of our definite leaders at Ulster.

"Having him become one of my closest friends throughout the last five years of his career, I got quite close to him and a lot of the things I picked up...a lot of guys would say it to me, but I haven't meant to pick them up – it’s sort of subconscious vibes, or whatever you like, I’ve taken off them and