Henderson weighing up options

Editor

Ulster lock Iain Henderson admits he is considering his options after revealing interest has been shown in his services from top European clubs.

Henderson has made a name for himself in 2017 having been called up to the British and Irish Lions touring squad to New Zealand and impressing in the June internationals for Ireland.

This, Henderson reveals, has led to 'interest from other clubs and places'. The 25-year-old is well aware that a move abroad would hamper his fledgling international career, citing the recent and relevant example of Simon Zebo.

Zebo was left out of Joe Schmidt's 38-man squad for the upcoming November internationals after the 29-year-old full-back revealed he would be leaving Munster at the end of the season to join Racing 92 in the French Top 14.

In the wake of the team announcement, Schmidt admitted that while the policy of excluding overseas-based players was not set in stone, preferring locally-based players is a definite priority for the IRFU.

Henderson, meanwhile, says he understands why Zebo would want to leave citing financial security by way of taking up a more lucrative offer as a major factor.

While initially Henderson's goal was to play for Ulster and Ireland, the Lions second rower was philosophical on the matter.

"Initially all you want to do is play for Ulster," Henderson told the Irish Mirror.

"Your goals are slightly realigned once you've been able to do that and then Ireland becomes the next thing.

"When you're growing up you aspire to being in those shoes.

"Simon's been in there playing for six or seven seasons now and I can understand why he'd want to move on given that opportunity in France.

"When that time to review comes up, it's definitely down to a player by player basis.

"You can definitely tell which players are more settled at your province and which players are willing to give something else a go."

Henderson admitted: "After the summer tour and stuff there has been some interest from other clubs and places.

"But Simon leaving and not being selected – it's done on a player by player basis, form and a few other factors.

"So at the end of the day I will just sit down and have a chat with Joe, and maybe sit down with (IRFU performance director) David Nucifora and see before making any serious decisions.

"But those kind of chats and decisions about where to move to all come in to (play) probably a wee bit further down the year.

"It is kind of up for grabs at the same time – you've got to remember that it's players' livelihoods, their jobs.

"If they're offering something like what I've read with Simon – a relatively lucrative amount that he mightn't have been offered the same amount by Ireland – it's a financial decision for him as well as a rugby decision."

The likelihood is that Henderson, who has captained his province for the first time in recent games, will stay.

But he added: "I'm not completely closed off to the idea (of moving).

“You've got your family, your friends, a club where you're already familiar with the coaches, the fans, the management.

"You're already established so you'd have to go away and rebuild all of that.

"On the other hand players sometimes have to think about themselves.

"Sometimes the club will play on that and say, 'Well, they're comfortable here, therefore we can offer them a bit less'.

"It's trying to weigh up a couple of options and seeing what's best.

"It also depends on what club is approaching the player. There'll be some more suitable to some players.

"It's not just all about signing a piece of paper – there's lifestyle changes, house moves and stuff that goes with it.

"That may prove to be slightly more difficult than it seems at the start."