Robbie Henshaw has always been one of those players who prefers to do his talking on the pitch, but by his own admission, he has at times been too shy off it.

Four years ago, Henshaw found himself representing the Lions in New Zealand and for all that an untimely injury scuppered his chances of forcing his way into the Test team, when he reflected on the tour, the Athlone native recognised that he could have been more assertive in and around the squad.

The same thought popped into his head last week as Henshaw had a chance to take in the fact that he will tour with the Lions for the second time this summer. Henshaw will turn 28 next month and although he is not exactly emerging into the ‘veteran’ category, he has been around long enough to understand the importance of finding his voice.

As ever, the Lions squad is littered with big personalities, but Henshaw will pick and choose his moments about when to speak up. The Leinster man is the form centre in Warren Gatland’s squad and looks nailed on to start in the Test team, yet he is keen to learn from the 2017 tour.

“I was quite a shy person going into the last camp, very quiet, so maybe be more vocal around the team,” Henshaw said. “But being myself, I suppose. There is a great group of lads there that I’ve played with and against, so yeah, learning just to be yourself more so and not go into your shell is a big thing, and to express yourself on the pitch and off the pitch. That would be one thing that I would do (differently).

“From being there and having that experience, obviously it went well for me, I played a lot of games, but I ended up getting injured and didn’t really get to put my name in for those last two Tests in New Zealand. It’s great to have that experience there that I know how to approach it.”

Having made the wider squad, Henshaw’s next challenge is to secure a place in the Lions’ midfield, whether at 12 or 13. That versatility will certainly count in his favour when Gatland picks his team for the first Test against South Africa on July 24.

“I think for everyone in the squad, it’s their primary goal, but again it’s going to be a huge challenge for everyone because it’s new systems, new team, new structures, new plays,” Henshaw maintained.

Another man-of-the-match performance in Leinster’s win over Ulster last Friday was the latest in a long line of excellent displays from Henshaw, who is in the form of his life.

An injury-free run has helped hugely in that regard, as has the fact that he is enjoying his rugby. The prospect of lining out for the Lions alongside his old Connacht mate Bundee Aki has helped offset the obvious disappointment at Garry Ringrose missing out on the squad.

“I was very, very disappointed for Garry, it was very tough,” Henshaw added. “I know Bundee has put in incredible work over the last four years and his performances have been class, so he’s definitely there on his reputation. I know he’s going to hit good form coming into the summer.

“He’s been training very hard, he’s been telling me, for the last few weeks, but obviously with Garry it’s very tough. He’s just had a very disrupted season, he’s been very unlucky that he’s had a few injuries that you can’t avoid.”