Heaslip embracing responsibility

Editor

Ireland's Jamie Heaslip admits his side's recent defeats have weighed more on his shoulders given his new role as captain.

Ireland's Jamie Heaslip admits his side's recent defeats have weighed more on his shoulders given his new role as captain.

After a bright start against Wales in Cardiff, Ireland have slipped to successive defeats against England and Scotland.

Declan Kidney's side host France this weekend before rounding off their championship in Italy, with Heaslip admitting that despite enjoying the captaincy, he has taken the pain of Ireland's losses a lot more personally.

“The captaincy has been great, I've loved it. You obviously have to do more of the media and you do feel more responsible for the team,” said Heaslip.

“When you come off the field as a player you analyse your own game, but as a captain you feel more responsible for the team.

“When I came off the pitch against Scotland I was quite happy with the way I played, with my carries and getting through quite a bit of work.

“But then as a team I'm disappointed that we lost, so it's a weird one. You have to think about the others. I never like to lose, but you do take the defeats a lot more personally when you're captain.

“It weighs on your shoulders more because you feel that little bit more responsible.

“We've grown quite used to disruptions because we've had quite a lot in this campaign, stuff that is part and parcel of rugby – it's a physical game.

“You get on with it, there's nothing you can do and there's no point lingering on it. That's what we've been doing throughout this Six Nations.”