Leinster's Champions Cup triumph gives Ireland a perfect springboard for Rugby World Cup assault, says Robbie Henshaw

Robbie Henshaw believes Leinster’s European Champions Cup success is the “perfect springboard” for Ireland ahead of the Rugby World Cup next year, with Saturday’s triumph in Bilbao adding further length to the gulf that has emerged between English and Irish rugby.

Two months after claiming a Six Nations Grand Slam with Ireland, Henshaw helped Leinster to their fourth European Cup success with a narrow 15-12 victory over Racing 92, with retiring captain Isa Nacewa kicking two match-winning penalties inside the final six minutes.

The two victories combined with Munster’s progression to the Champions Cup semi-finals sees the Irish game in rude health 16 months out from the World Cup in Japan, but in stark contrast the England national side are on the verge of a crisis. Three consecutive defeats in the Six Nations are bad enough for a side who harbour ambitions of going all the way next year, but add to that defence coach Paul Gustard being interviewed for the vacant Harlequins job and boss Eddie Jones ready to tear up his George Ford-Owen Farrell axis after naming Danny Cipriani in his squad, there is a real fear that the whole project could fall apart over the next year-and-a-half.

Having claimed the European spoils for the first time in six years, Leinster have put Irish club rugby back on the map, and Henshaw believes that Saturday evening’s triumph continues the perfect preparation for Ireland to launch their assault next year and try and end New Zealand’s relentless grip on the global gathering.

“It’s great to be honest. To be involved in both sides, the Ireland team and today, is an unbelievable feeling for me personally and everyone else involved,” Henshaw said.

“There’s still work to be done before the World Cup but as far as ambitions go we are delighted with how things have gone and we just want to keep getting better.

“As a springboard it is perfect. At the end of the day you want to win trophies, that’s why you show up for work every day, you want to be successful. So it’s great to be finishing off the season with silverware. As a springboard into next season it’s definitely positive for us.”

The success over the Irish Sea this year is a clear demonstration of rugby in the Emerald Isle being on the up, with Leinster ending the wait for a European trophy after six years of Anglo-French domination, while the Six Nations trophy is back at Lansdowne Road after two consecutive second-place finishes behind England. With Ireland now ahead of their rivals in the World Rugby rankings, there can be no doubt about the momentum shift that has taken place.

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“There were a few years where we were just on the cusp of achieving things,” added the Leinster prop Jack McGrath. “It probably drives you a little bit more when you are losing semi-finals or coming second in the Six Nations. We have worked really hard and a lot of things clicked this year.

“We were pushing for that fourth star on the jersey with Leinster and it’s nice to be part of that. There’s a good mix of guys. There’s experienced guys with Leinster and Ireland and there’s young guys who don’t know how to lose and have no fear. They are quality players. They are coming out school ready to go. James Ryan is 21, Jordan Larmour is only 20, it’s crazy.

“It makes me feel old. We got a little bit of luck along the way too. There were times in the past where we haven’t had the rub of the green.”