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Saturday, 9 January 2016

Heaslip Not to Miss Wales Clash

Jamie Heaslip is not in danger of missing Ireland's Six Nations opener against Wales on February 7 after he was forced to go off with suspected concussion against the Ospreys.

Heaslip was substituted after just six minutes with blood coming from his lip in last night's 22-9 win over the Ospreys - a win that saw the Blues return to the top of the Pro12 table.

The Ireland number eight will go through return to play protocols but Independent.ie understands that there is no danger of him missing Ireland's Six Nations opener next month and he should be back in action for next week's clash against Bath or the following week away to Wasps.

“Jamie took a pretty heavy knock at the start of the game,” said Leo Cullen after last night's match.

“He came through pretty quickly after we took him off.

“I talked to him at the end of the game and he is up an about.

“We will manage him over the course of the week and see how he is with the return to play protocols.

“He has not a head knock in four or five years so it’s been quite a while. We have had a chat there and we will see how he is in the early part of the week."

Saturday, 10 November 2012

Ireland v South Africa - Preview

New captain Jamie Heaslip says Ireland are expecting a bruising contest with South Africa in Saturday's Test clash at the Aviva Stadium.

Heaslip will lead an injury-hit Ireland side as they aim to avenge the 2010 defeat by the Springboks in Dublin.

"South Africa are a confrontational side and they don't make any bones about that," said Heaslip.

"They try to run over you or through you with their forward pack and provide nice ball for their backs."

Heaslip added: "They got one over us last time and we don't like losing in our back garden.

"It will be a full house on Saturday and the place will be rocking. We want to give the Irish people something to cheer about."

Heaslip says he was "humbled" to be asked to lead the Irish by coach Declan Kidney after Brian O'Driscoll, Paul O'Connell and Rory Best were all ruled out by injury.

"I was in Baggott Street (in Dublin) getting my mate an engagement card when I got the heads up from Declan about it," Heaslip said.

"I was in Tesco and I didn't know what to do with myself. I felt like going out and celebrating. It felt like my first cap again.

"It's great. I rang my parents straight away. I'm proud to lead this group."

Despite the absence of so many experienced players, Heaslip insists that the Irish won't lack leadership in Saturday's contest.

"Once we get onto the pitch everyone will be on automatic pilot because we have such great leaders within the team.

"It's talking after the dinner that's got me more nervous than anything else."

Hooker Richardt Strauss, born in South Africa but eligible for Ireland on residency grounds, makes his Test debut while full-back Simon Zebo makes his first start.

Uncapped forwards David Kilcoyne, Michael Bent and Iain Henderson are included on the bench.

Thursday, 8 November 2012

Captain Heaslip Leads Ireland v Boks

Jamie Heaslip will captain Ireland in the opening game of the 2012 Guinness Series against South Africa this Saturday

The Leinster No 8 will be leading his country for the first time when he walks the team onto the Aviva Stadium pitch as part of a side that contains one new cap in the starting team and a further three uncapped players among the replacements.

Richardt Strauss will earn his first cap for Ireland at hooker in the front row alongside his provincial colleagues Cian Healy and Mike Ross.

Mike McCarthy is selected in the second row alongside Donnacha Ryan, with Chris Henry selected to start at openside in the back row, with Peter O’Mahoney selected at blindside.

In the backs, Simon Zebo will be earning his first start for Ireland at full back, in a back three that has plenty of experience in Andrew Trimble and Tommy Bowe, who will be earning his 50th international cap.

Among the replacements, forwards David Kilcoyne, Michael Bent and Iain Henderson are all in line to make their international debuts.

Ireland have lost their last four Tests, the most of recent of which was their 60-0 mauling by New Zealand in June.

With IRB ranking points critical to seeding for the next World Cup at stake, it is imperative they dispatch a South African side that is also missing several big names.

Ireland are missing a wealth of experienced players in Paul O'Connell, Brian O'Driscoll and Rory Best.

Sean O'Brien, Stephen Ferris and Rob Kearney are also absent, leaving a massive hole in the side, but coach Declan Kidney believes his squad is strong enough to cope.

"When you lose players of their experience it's always going to be a hurdle to overcome," Kidney said.

"But that's why we've been building a squad over the last couple of years anyway because we always knew this day would come.

"We always hoped it would be drip-fed rather than en bloc, but such is the way of things.

"We talked with Jamie about the captaincy over the past year and he's shown good potential for the job with Leinster.

"Although he'd probably deny it, Jamie is the consummate professional. When he turns up for work he's really zeroed in.

"That's a good place to start - leading by example. He's been part of this group for a few years now.

"There were other guys holding their hands up for the job but the time is right for Jamie."

Ireland XV to play South Africa: 15 Simon Zebo, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray 1 Cian Healy, 2 Richardt Strauss, 3 Mike Ross, 4 Mike McCarthy, 5 Donnacha Ryan, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 7 Chris Henry 8 Jamie Heaslip

Replacements: Sean Cronin, David Kilcoyne, Michael Bent, Donncha O'Callaghan, Iain Henderson, Eoin Reddan, Ronan O'Gara, Fergus McFadden