Former Ireland backrow Alan Quinlan reckons Robbie Henshaw has the potential to become as good as Brian O’Driscoll.

The former Munster backrow was live in studio on Off The Ball during Ireland’s Six Nations in Italy today, and says he is extremely excited by Joe Schmidt’s centre partnership of Henshaw and Jared Payne.

“Henshaw and Payne are excellent players,” said Quinlan. “November will have done them the world of good.

He added: “Henshaw hopefully he can really step up and show that brilliance he’s shown already. He’s potentially could be as good as Brian O’Driscoll.”