Chris Henry is ready to step up and lend a hand as Ireland seek to bounce back from a slow start to the 2016 RBS 6 Nations.
Joe Schmidt’s side kicked off the defence of their Championship with a 16-16 draw with Wales before slipping to a 10-9 defeat at the hands of France last weekend.
That result was worsened by the news that influential openside flanker Sean O’Brien will miss their next match, a trip to Twickenham to take on unbeaten England.
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In reserve Schmidt already has Tommy O’Donnell, who came off the bench to replace O’Brien in Paris and registered a game high 20 tackles.
But Henry, who is on his way back from a shoulder injury and started two World Cup games at No.7 last year, is eager to throw his hat into the ring.
“I don’t know how long Sean is going to be out for, but if there’s a thing about Joe Schmidt, he rewards people who he trusts that haven’t let him down,” he said.
“Tommy O’Donnell hasn’t let Joe down and Rhys Ruddock hasn’t let Joe down, but I hope that he knows I’ve done a job for him in the past and I’m still there.
“It would be an amazing feeling to get back involved with Ireland at some stage.”
And Henry should have an opportunity to prove his fitness by lining up for provincial side Ulster against the Scarlets on Sunday.
He added: “It’s been a frustrating enough injury, one that has lingered, and now I have to try and get as much game-time as I can.
“I’m not battle hardened. In my position, you need to be in the mix and have those bumps and bruises. You can’t just throw yourself back in but I’d love to think Joe is watching the game on Sunday.”
Click here to view the complete 2016 RBS 6 Nations fixture schedule with TV coverage
