IRELAND AND ULSTER LOCK Ian Henderson has revealed why Andy Farrell is hitting all the right notes with the Ireland rugby team and gave his own antidote that revolved around a personal family issue.
Farrell has turned Ireland into the best rugby side in the world and masterminded wins over New Zealand away from home, beaten England, South Africa, France, and Australia in that time.
Ireland's players are now starting to buy into their own ability and a World Cup win next year isn't as remote as possibility as it would have been this time last year.
Ireland's next game in the Six Nations will be against Italy in Rome next weekend.
Tadhg Bierne who has been excellent for Ireland has been ruled out of action for 12-weeks. Henderson is now expected to start that game in Italy.
Henderson speaking to the media revealed why Ireland have flourished under Farrell and other than the tactical and coaching acumen, the personal side has also gone down well with the players.
Henderson was expected to start in 2020 Six Nations clash with England following the birth of his baby boy.
The Ulster lock has started both games against Scotland and Wales but wanted to spend time with his family after the birth of his son.
Henderson was worried that Farrell would not take kindly to his request to sit out Ireland's triple crown deciding game, but Farrell did the opposite and left the choice up to the 30-year-old.
This went down very well with the Ireland and Ulster player at the time.
Ireland head coach Andy FarrellFreddie was born on the Wednesday or Thursday and Faz left it fully up to me if I wanted to play in that match," recalled Henderson.
"I didn’t end up playing that weekend. A lot of coaches could have easily said: ‘No, we want you to come across and play'.
"Faz said, 'you do what’s right for you'.
"My wife was getting out of hospital the day we (Ireland) were supposed to be flying and I said to him, 'Look, as long as Suzanne is still in hospital I didn’t want to leave'.
"He said, '100%, you do whatever suits you' and I said to him, "Look, I’m not going to travel – I want to stay with Suzanne and young Freddie'.
"He said, 'That’s perfect Hendy, if that’s what you need to do for your family that’s what you need to do'.
"That’s only one small example for me.
"Stuff happens in here on a weekly basis – if something happens in someone’s family life or something happens in rugby, all over the team environment Faz is incredibly on top of making sure that the right thing is being done for everyone."
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