Rugby sensation Robbie Henshaw's Gaelic football background stood him in good stead this afternoon when he scored his first try for Ireland.

The former Westmeath minor footballer fielded the ball brilliantly from Conor Murray's crossfield kick as he went over for a 52nd minute try to give Ireland a 17-3 lead. Jonny Sexton added the conversion to make it 19-3 in what is being billed as the Six Nations decider.

Henshaw's try was not unlike the one Meath's Shane Horgan famously scored in the same fixture at Croke Park in 2007.

Before concentrating on the oval ball game, Henshaw - whose family is immersed in Athlone GAA - was regarded as one of Westmeath football's brightest prospects. After representing his county at minor level in 2010 and 2011, the Coosan youngster would surely have been lining out alongside his good friend Ray Connellan for the Lake County seniors against Kildare in Newbridge today had he not decided to pursue a career in rugby.

 

You'd know Robbie Henshaw played midfield for Westmeath minors! Unbelievable stuff, go on Ireland!

- Pundit Arena GAA (@PunditArenaGAA) March 1, 2015

His upbringing with @AthloneGAA & @Westmeath_GAA has served him well #IRFU #ShoulderToShoulder pic.twitter.com/EVdVCH47LC

- Sportsfile (@sportsfile) March 1, 2015

 

An example of those Gaelic football skills that Robbie Henshaw referred to #IREvENG #6Nations pic.twitter.com/kkpeakYdhG

- Athlone GAA (@AthloneGAA) March 1, 2015

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