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."
Comments
99call says...
I must admit I was ok when he was given the captaincy but still thought BOD should have kept for his last season, but its been obvious that not all the players are happy with the decision and when BOD appeared to show his annoyance at the lack of leadership and decision making in the last game that about says it all.
His personal performances in the last 2 games have been way below what hes capable of so if hes stating hes happy with his game then that worries me.
The problem is we havent had a No8 to challenge him since he made the shirt his and his good injury record has meant that we've not been pushed to try anyone else so hes not threatened.
So who are the options:
Butler - good kid but too young, one for the future
OMahoney - not sure, he'd need to get a run of games at Munster
Couglan - maybe the ship has sailed for him
Wilson - as above
OBrien - great ball carrier but we would lose a lineout option, has played for Leinster at 8 and it didnt work
Ferris - can play 8 but we cant rely on him due to injuries
Diack - developing well but not sure he'll make it at this level
Henderson - why not, great ball carrier, great lineout jumper, his future is probably at lock but you never know
So no obvious 8s out there and a few guys who could do a job, so we've the choice of playing an out of form 8 or a backrower who can possibly fill in at 8 so not alot of options so I can see whay DK is sticking with him lets just hope he plays his way back into some form
Posted 11:32 07th March 2013
rugbyjarhead says...
My irish team for next year campaign (this one is a bust)
1. Healy
2. Strauss
3. Bent
4.Touhy
5. McCarthy
6. Ferris
7. Henry
8. O'Brien (C)
9. Reddan
10. Sexton
11. Fitzgerald
12. Marshal
13. Bowe
14. Gilroy
15. Kearney
16. Best
17. Ross
18. Kilcoyne
19. Marshal (SH)
20. Madigan (Covers 10 and 15)
21. Trimble (Covers 11 and 12)
22. O'Mahony ( Covers second row and back row)
Posted 02:26 07th March 2013
ciaran1792 says...
@melkdave its been played in Lansdown road.
Posted 21:52 06th March 2013
melkdave says...
LOL correction its in Dublin ,getting old it seems lol
Posted 18:08 06th March 2013
papachinzo says...
This chap is in La-la land... he was off his game before he took the Captaincy, now he's even worse !!!
I love the 3rd and 4th quotes; He's basically saying he's playing great, but the team is playing bad and that's why they lost...
He needs to be dropped for a few games, both for Ireland and Leinster in my opinion... Jodi Murphy is playing incredible at the moment as well.
Posted 18:05 06th March 2013
melkdave says...
Have to say,Ireland have one hell of a hard game in front of them this wekend in Paris.Both sides will be hurting badly ,and looking for some redemtion,Heart says Ireland can do it ,but brain says France will be just to intense,and will want it more.,so im thinking France by 10-12 points .Just cant see the irish pack living for 80 mins against their french counterparts
Posted 17:57 06th March 2013