Tuam coach inspired one of rugbys rising stars

SITTING opposite the brightest sporting prospect in Irish rugby in a generation, it’s easy to forget that Robbie Henshaw is still a new kid on the block as the clock ticks down to the Rugby World Cup this weekend.
Catching up with the Athlone man in his home town, amidst the plush comfort of the Sheraton Hotel’s presidential suite, there are glimpses of how novel his new status is to the 22-year-old, as he runs out on to the balcony to capture some aerial footage of the familiar streets below.
The Connacht centre will line out against Canada in his first World Cup match this Saturday at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.
Henshaw’s Galway connections are long established, forged long before he joined the club three years ago through family links that go back to his father Tony and uncle Davy, both former players.
His links with Tuam however are perhaps less well known, but Robbie is happy to credit a former teacher and schools rugby coach, Mick Loftus, with being one of the most influential people in determining his future career as a professional rugby player.

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