Ireland’s U20 squad will be boosted this weekend with the availability of Connacht’s Robbie Henshaw.

The dynamic fullback, who featured in all of Connacht’s Heineken Cup matches, has been released from Rabo duty this weekend to enable him to play for the U20s.

Having played for the Irish Wolfhounds the previous week, Henshaw was unavailable for Ireland’s opener against Wales and, although the RaboDirect takes precedence, with Connacht playing the Scarlets this weekend, coach Eric Elwood said he had promised the youngster he would not stop him from having the opportunity to play for the national side.

“Before he was selected for the Wolfhounds, I told him I wanted him to have his U20 cap because I was there and I know what it is like,” said Elwood. “Let’s be fair. We all said Robbie was a special talent and once he got into our team, he was always going to go on to greater things.”

If U20 head coach Mike Ruddock selects the former Marist College player, he will return to his home pitch for Friday night’s Six Nations encounter with defending champions England.