Humbled: Jamie Heaslip
Leinster and Ireland number eight Jamie Heaslip has revealed his delight at being named captain for the upcoming Six Nations.
Heaslip has replaced Ireland team-mate Brian O'Driscoll as captain and revealed that he struggled to contain his emotions when Kidney revealed the news to him in a meeting last week.
"Deccy [Kidney] rang me last week and asked me to come in for a meeting and after a bit of chit-chat he asked me," said Heaslip.
"I nearly had to stop myself jumping over the table to kiss him, which would have been really awkward!
"I was really proud and humbled, with all sorts of emotions flying around - it's been great and coming into camp on Sunday night made me realise what we have to do and the hard work ahead of us.
"I spoke to Brian and he told me he's 100% behind me and if I needed any help - which I have been doing annoying him. It's fantastic that he is in the squad and I can call on a player of his experience for advice. He deserves all the accolades and respect that he has and they are pretty big shoes to fill."
Asked what he believed was expected of him in his new role, Heaslip highlighted the importance of his role not just on the field as captain - where he states he is surrounded by an excellent leadership group - but also away from the pitch.
"The way you carry yourself on and off the field, even down to your lifestyle, and the fact that you're representing your team, management, fans and the green of Ireland - which I can tell you Irish people take very seriously - all of that is a very humbling experience and something I hope to do well at," he said.
Declan Kidney stated that the decision was based on Heaslip's good work in November when he filled in as captain, along with the need to allow O'Driscoll enough time and space to recover his form after a long layoff.
"Jamie did a good job in November and it was my decision to give Brian some space - which he probably didn't want," said Kidney.
"They're totally different but both play and lead by example."
Ireland rounded out the November Internationals with a resounding win over Argentina in Dublin, in a 46-24 rout of the Rugby Championship side including seven tries.
Kidney hopes that going into the Six Nations, the impact of that result will stand his side in good stead with their minimal time together before the Championship begins.
"The win over Argentina came at a good time for us, as we were fed up with losing," added Kidney.
"We came together Sunday night and have had two good days training, but you need every minute that you have."
by Ben Coles
@bencoles_
Comments
Irishzimbabwean says...
Delighted with this announcement - BOD will be even better without the responsibility and pressure of captaincy (and still an outside for Lions captain).
Back row has to Henry, O'Brien and Heaslip. If Kidney picks O'Mahony at openside over Henry, then it cannot be reasons of ability or present form.
99call - Ferris return means a remarkably difficult decision for Kidney.
Opening Suggestion - 15. Kearney, 14. Gilroy. 13.BOD. 12. D'Arcy. 11. Zebo. 10. Sexton. 9. Reddan (but Kidney will pick Murray). 1. Healy. 2. Best. 3. Ross. 4. McCarthy. 5. Ryan. 6. Henry. 7. OBrien. 8. Heaslip.
Not a bad team is it?
Posted 05:25 24th January 2013
damo says...
Sorry to put a dampener on this lads but if we are rewarding Irish players for form in the November tests than this lad is bottom of the pile, 3 carries vs SA yellow card and pretty much cost the game, played ok vs Fiji's worst 15 ever and played ok vs Argentina while $exton and Gilroy lit up the stadium!!!
He doesn't carry the ball at all do he's not an 8, Henry is a far better 7, as for him being better tham the "Tullow tank" wash your mouth out with soap and water, when Heslip got carded vs Edinborough 2 weeks ago in the Rabo and had 14 men on their try line it was BOD who pilfered the ball and ran the length of the field as Captain Fantastic waddled off shaking his head like he did when getting sent off Vs NZ in a game Irelands 14 men played far better than any game they have carried Heslip!!!
These are facts and BOD we all know Kidney is a clown and in picking Heslip ahead of you and making terrible excuses he is just becomming worse and worse, his record in the last 2 years is shocking and if he manages Ireland away in Italy wooden spoon coul be our award!!!! 2 years ago ROG saved his bacon there and we are getting progressivley worse, Italy almost hsocked OZ in November!!!
Posted 00:12 24th January 2013
THESKUTCH says...
While Heaslip is a world class player on his day his form in recent times has been worrying. A great servant and obvious leader its a pity that Drico wasn't allowed to retain his captaincy until the end of his tenure. As for Munster and Ulster fans.... Pienaar is far superior to any Irish offerings and should be allowed play his game for Ulster. Murray has hit somewhat of a slump but deserves his chance and hopefully will take it with 2 hands. Otherwise Ulster fans can keep their red noses out of the scrum half debate unless pushing forward young marshall and Munster fans can keep to their Drisheen.
Posted 21:55 23rd January 2013
mcdb06 says...
Does anyone think Heaslip would be better at openside? He's a general nuisance at the breakdown and produces countless turnovers for Leinster. O'Brien is a ball carrier and would be better suited to 8 rather than 7.
Posted 19:56 23rd January 2013
black47 says...
Norm,
I've been more than critical of Murray in the past but he's coming into a bit of form now, You have to admit
Unfortunate labelling of munster supporters is unpleasant and unecessary
Posted 19:53 23rd January 2013
Norm says...
black 47
Yep cause nailing down 1st choice SH at Ruan Pienar's expense is something Connor 'be there in a minute lads' Murray would do within a day of signing for Ulster isnt it.
Posted 18:04 23rd January 2013
paddy91317 says...
o'mahoney6, obrien7. heaslip8 ........................ id bet my house on in
Posted 16:55 23rd January 2013
black47 says...
99call, It;'s a bit rich for an Ulster supporter to talk about Munster supporters having chips on both shoulders considering their clamour to have so called brilliant Paul Marshall in the irish side when he can't even nail down a provincial starting place. his last irish start was less than impressive The major issue people including myself have about Heaslip is his total lack of a break from the base of the scrum. His back row colleagues always outshine him in the green shirt no matter who they are
Posted 16:39 23rd January 2013
99call says...
I for one am happy with him being our skipper, BOD needs to get himself right and fit so its only fair that we carry on with what we finished with in the november tests, everyone has there own opinion on his form etc, mostly based on your own provincial tendencies but as an ulsterman Im happy for him to be in the side and be the captain, Im sure there wil be few munster boys that will disagree putting across their balanced viewpoint, and by that I mean a chip on both shoulders, and anyone who thinks it would be a good idea to put OBrien in at 8 obviously hasnt seen him the times Leinster did that and he was totally ineffective so give that one a rest.
The problem is going to be who does he pick at 6 and 7 with OMahony, OBrien and Henry all playing well and Tommy ODonnell putting in a good performance at the weekend, personnaly its OMahony and Henry to start with OBrien coming on as an impact sub for me. What is more interesting is that the human wrecking ball that is Stevie Ferris could be back for the 3rd game to really give Deccie a headache
Posted 15:30 23rd January 2013
3in4 says...
Great player, great choice for the captaincy. I'm always bemused by the flak he gets from Irish fans. It would be interesting to know if they can ever point to a game where he played badly, or at least, played no worse than any other player in the team. Kick him out and you're losing one of the best fetchers in Europe.
Posted 15:30 23rd January 2013