Robbie Henshaw
Biography
Robbie Henshaw, full name Robert Anthony Henshaw, was born on 12 June 1993 in Athlone, Ireland. A powerful, intelligent centre standing 1.91m tall, Henshaw has become one of Ireland’s most dependable midfielders. Equally comfortable breaking the gain line or organising a defensive line, his rugby brain has always matched his physical presence.
Raised in Coosan and educated at Marist College, Henshaw’s sporting talent showed early. He wasn’t just a rugby prodigy either — Gaelic football, music, and leadership all featured in his youth. By the time he stepped into senior professional rugby, it was clear Ireland had a special all-round athlete on its hands.
List of Teams Played For
- Connacht (2012–2016)
- Leinster (2016–present)
- Ireland Schoolboys (2011)
- Ireland U20 (2013)
- Ireland Wolfhounds (2013–2014)
- Ireland (2013–present)
- British & Irish Lions (2017–2021)
Rugby World Cups Played
- 2015 Rugby World Cup
Key Career Moments
Henshaw burst onto the professional scene with Connacht in 2012, earning his first senior cap at just 19. Initially used at fullback, his adaptability stood out immediately. Over the next few seasons, he became a cornerstone of the province, starting big matches in both the Pro12 and European competition.
The defining moment of his Connacht career came on 28 May 2016, when he helped the province lift their first-ever major trophy, winning the 2015–16 Pro12 final — fittingly against Leinster.
Later that year, he crossed the provincial divide, debuting for Leinster in October 2016. On the international stage, Henshaw’s reputation soared. His winning try against New Zealand in Chicago in November 2016 remains one of the most iconic moments in Irish rugby history.
In March 2023, he was part of the Ireland squad that completed a Six Nations Grand Slam, only the fourth in the country’s history. Add to that starting all three Tests for the British & Irish Lions in 2021, and Henshaw’s big-game credentials are undeniable.
Personal Life
Sport runs deep in the Henshaw family, with strong ties to both rugby and the GAA. Before fully committing to rugby, Robbie played Gaelic football at senior level for Athlone at just 18 and represented Westmeath at minor level.
Away from the pitch, he’s known for his musical talent — playing accordion, fiddle, guitar, and piano. That rare mix of physicality, creativity, and calm has earned him affectionate nicknames like “One Man Band” among teammates.