• RSS
  • Text Size:
  • -
  • irishtimes.com - Posted: February 22, 2011 @ 9:32 am

    Pizza and burgers, what a pro!

    Jamie Heaslip

    Another week and hopefully another game. One thing we’ve all learned is that you never know what Deccie (Declan Kidney) is going to do with team selection, although it’s always good to see familiar faces when we get back into camp after a weekend off.

    Tried to make the most of the weekend by just enjoying myself and switching off. First thing first though, it was good to get some training in during the week so I could relax on the diet a little at the weekend. Seeing that we’re a competitive bunch and always looking for a competitive edge, the diet is one of those edges and lurking over most players’ shoulders. But got the training in so could ease up a little and hit some of my vices – pizza and burgers (what a pro!)

    Another thing I did – and love doing in general – is going to gigs. Haven’t had the chance to check any out for a while because of my injury, so thought this needed to be addressed. And a serious perk of playing for your country is that you get to meet some cool people, especially in the music world. So with this, I got the chance to check out Example in The Academy in Dublin. This might be lost on some readers but a good gig and great venue all the same.

    Met the chap afterwards too with Cian Healy (our aspiring DJ). Seemed like a nice bloke. We resisted the Tommy Bowe temptation of taking to the stage you’ll be glad to hear. Mind you, Mumford are coming back to town soon so no doubt Tommy is getting some vocal lessons and waiting for the phone call. I can’t slag him too much because I acted like a bit of a groupie on Friday when I met Ray Foley after the show. Big fan of his show, (Ray….love the show.), and acted like a dope accordingly. He was probably thinking ‘who are these meat heads talking to me?’ So apologies on that front Ray. I should really stop with this potholing of mine, a little embarrassing and allows for more slagging back at camp.

    The rest of the weekend, I’m afraid, was spent just chilling with Jay Z and spending time with friends. The downside of camp life – and the Six Nations especially – is that you find yourself with very little time to catch up with your buddies. Actually, the constraints at times from pro rugby life means that your social time with your mates has to be curtailed a little. I pretty much have the same group of mates since I was 10 so they’re pretty cool about the whole thing. So time free is usually spent catching up with whoever is around.

    The highlight of my time off was Monday. In order to help out in the shave or dye drive by Today FM, I headed out to the students of St Pat’s on their Black Monday to practice some grooming skills. No better place to learn than from some teachers to be. Things however got a little crazy when a few lads tried to out-do each other and raise more money than each other by starting to experiment with waxing instead of shaving. Let’s just say some were lucky that we ran out of wax. All in good humour and for a great cause.

    For more updates from Jamie and Irish Rugby check out the Guinness Rugby Supporters Facebook Page -www.Facebook.com/GuinnessRugbyIreland

    • 56 Comments »

    1.
    February 22, 2011
    10:41 am

    Thanks for that Jamie,

    Wonderful to get an insight into the true life of a modern professional rugby player and the stresses you face during such an intense campaign.

    I would, however, like to highlight one quick point in this particular piece. There is absolutely no mention of Ronan O’Gara whatsoever. Clearly this is an issue that needs to be addressed immediately. ROG should not be playong international (or even high-level club) rugby. He lacks the physical prowess to stand up to even the lightest of breezes. I realise this may not be the ideal place to voice my concerns, but, then again, it is one of the few outlets to which I can gain access. For the sake of Irish rugby, I urge you to ensure that ROG’s career is ended as soon as possible, by whatever means necessary.

    I look forward to further support from my peers on this issue.

    Regards,

    Spenno

    Comment by Spencer Mitton
    2.
    February 22, 2011
    11:29 am

    Hi Spencer,
    How can you say what you said about ROG retiring? I take it you are not serious and trying to wind up Munster fans because I don’t believe anybody could be so naive!

    He has made significant difference to the Irish team when he came on in the last two games. His defensive frailities have being highlighted on numerous occassion before but his vison and experience when a calm head is needed was plain to see throughout his career and in particular in the last two games. I wouldn’t be surprised if he would start this sundays game. We will know in a few hours.
    Kind Regards,
    Liam

    Comment by Liam Kidney
    3.
    February 22, 2011
    11:32 am

    “By whatever means necessary”??? I don’t think your peers or anyone sane would support this lunatic call.

    Good to see Jamie enjoying his down time, best of luck this weekend

    Comment by Andrew
    4.
    February 22, 2011
    11:33 am

    Wow, Spencer you clown. Credit and respect where it is due!

    Comment by Kevin Rourke
    5.
    February 22, 2011
    11:45 am

    all hail Spencer Mitton, clearly the new force in rugby analysis.
    Ronan o Gara was voted the most valuble player in the history of the Heineken Cup by a panel that included: Sir Ian McGeechan, Lawrence Dallaglio, Ieuan Evans, Fabien Galthié, Donal Lenihan, Michael Lynagh, Stuart Barnes, Stephen Jones and Jacques Verdier.
    He is the current Irish/Munster and European top points scorer.
    he has been on 3Lions tours.
    He scored the drop goal to win the 6 nations in 2009 and more recently against Italy to spare our blushes.
    All clearly by accident!
    But I’m sure you know better than all the experts Spencer.
    Your obviously a bitter idiot who hasnt a clue about rugby.
    Yes his defensive work isnt great but its merely one aspect of his game, you fail to mention his place kicking, kicking from hand, passing or general game management.
    Grow up a bit a recognise greatness in a player that everyone else does, including the experts in the game, and even people who have the slightest knowledge about the game, something you obviously dont have.

    Comment by Mick
    6.
    February 22, 2011
    11:59 am

    Well said Mick,
    seeing as this is Jamies Blog we might point out to Spencer that Jamie doesn’t placekick or kick the ball out of hand as well as ROG, should he be dropped??? Or worse?

    Comment by Andrew
    7.
    February 22, 2011
    12:21 pm

    Hmm what the heck has wether or not ROG should retire (which I say NOT!!) to do with Jamie’s blog post?!!?!?!

    Jamie, thanks for the insight in the life of a pro rugby player :) Good luck this weekend, looking forward to see you all in action again, even though it’s on tv! The Dutch girls (and you damn well know who we are ;-) ) will cheer from a pub for Ireland! COME ON IRELAND!!!!!!!
    Love Mumford, wish I could come see Tommy taking the stage LOL! (or you)

    Erm Brian, Jay Z is his dog… ;-) (his super cute dog may I add)
    Totally agree on being happy with having Tommy Bowe and Jamie himself back.

    Comment by Suzan
    8.
    February 22, 2011
    12:27 pm

    With a name like Spencer Mitton, enough said !!

    Is he for real ?

    Comment by Brian W
    9.
    February 22, 2011
    12:30 pm

    Sometimes I cringe at the whole Leinster / Munster thing…
    Come on Ireland

    Comment by Neil
    10.
    February 22, 2011
    12:33 pm

    Spenno…… Em, do you actually know what you’re talking about or only putting this rubbish up to wind up PROPER rugby supporters. O’Gara has and still is performing as an outstanding outhalf. How can you say a player who won the MOST INFLUENTIAL player in the Heineken Cup in 15 years shouldn’t be playing high level rugby, a player who has scored the record amount of points in the Heineken Cup and is on the way to surpassing Wilkinson in the 6 nations. 100 caps for his country and 2 Heineken Cup Medals…. You’d wanna do you’re research and gain some proper perspective or take your head out of the clouds and get a clue!! Rugby doesn’t need supporters like you. I’m all for brining in new blood and talent but lets be honest, I doubt there will ever be an outhalf again for Ireland that beats all those records……

    Comment by Rugby6813
    11.
    February 22, 2011
    1:16 pm

    Spenno – I think you’re a bit wide of the mark here. RO’G might have been rude to my Aunt at traffic lights outside the Dail before, and picked on Elizabeth Windsor and Kevin Myers in his time, but he’s also been a great servant to Irish rugby and has learnt heaps from Felipe Contepomi over the years. Has there been a more influential outhalf in the history of the Heineken Cup, I ask you?

    Comment by Andrew
    12.
    February 22, 2011
    1:19 pm

    Lets stick to the blog! its excellent. I say Spencer why don’t you get yourself a ferritt and take it for a walk.. a long one.
    thank god your just a wind up merchant…Jay Z is the dog, good one…
    Jamie good to see what all the lads are up to and good you are back. looking forward to the selection and giving scotland a good go.

    Comment by Brían
    13.
    February 22, 2011
    1:48 pm

    Loved micks response. Facts are facts. Bit random throw in by Spencer…how his mind made those connections.

    Comment by Jamie Heaslip
    14.
    February 22, 2011
    2:23 pm

    Apparently there is a very irritated Liverpudlian who is baying for O’Gara’s blood, could this be the “by any means necessary” alluded to?

    I hope not, that would not be class, not class at all.

    O’Gara is consumate professional who has skillfully avoided the pitfalls that living in the public eye can bring, I wish him the best at the weekend.

    Comment by Malones
    15.
    February 22, 2011
    2:26 pm

    Ah here now Jamie, if you really dont agree with Spencer about forcing Rog out of the game, maybe you should stop running over him in the RDS from time to time!

    Whatever about his tackling prowess (or lack thereof), for a man to get knocked down by pro ballers twice his size on a weekly basis, no one can knock the mans courage and commitment for getting back up and doing it again and again.

    Comment by Charbo
    16.
    February 22, 2011
    2:26 pm

    Apparently there is a very irritated Liverpudlian who is baying for O’Gara’s blood, could this be the “by any means necessary” alluded to? I hope not, that would not be class, not class at all. O’Gara is consumate professional who has skillfully avoided the pitfalls that living in the public eye can bring, I wish him the best at the weekend.

    Comment by Malones
    17.
    February 22, 2011
    2:42 pm

    I love you Jamie, I have a poster of you on my wall.

    I’m 26 years old and when I grow up want to be just like you

    Comment by ray tutty (london, orig. Limerick
    18.
    February 22, 2011
    2:47 pm

    Where are you going saying that Rog should retire Jamie? What’s that about?
    It’s true that facts are facts. Also true that facts often disguise facts. Let’s take the Lions stat; You only have to be the starting 10 for your nation, you then have a 3 in 4 chance of being selected for the Lions. Your true worth is shown on the test side. His first Lions tour, victim of vicious on field assault, end of tour. His second Lions tour, a few midweek games. His third lions tour, finally a test appearance, and boy did he cover himself in glory. Not.

    Heineken Cup. The Munster pack of forwards must be well sick of this one. Who won all those penalty kicks? Who got the field position for the drops? Munster had nothing in the backs, because O’Gara never gave them the ball. Munster had the finest pack of forwards this nation has ever seen, and the best passing scrumhalf, and they played a 10 man game. Good luck to them, it worked. The game has moved on.

    Ireland. The so called golden generation. The best pack of forwards allied to the best back line in our history. Result? One Grand Slam, thanks be to God that Jonesy left his kicking boots at home that fateful day. And yes, credit where it’s due, O’Gara has balls the size of melons and kicked us home that day. Is one slam a fair reflection of a group of players who delivered 4 Heineken Cups? For God’s sake, Wales won two recently.

    Most points kicked – since Humphreys moved on, there has been zero competition at outhalf, especially since Eddie Hekenui didn’t declare and moved on from Leinster. Ronan was there game in, game out, and yes, credit where it’s due, he kicked a lot of goals. His poor D and his lack of a running game have been deficiencies in the Irish and Munster side in recent years, and it is time for a new breed. Time to put the man out to pasture? Hell, no. He’s the best at what he does, and that can be a real weapon at opportune times for club and country. But let’s not list off his stats and pretend that the man is Dan Carter.
    Oh yeah, great blog Jamie!

    Comment by Diarmuid
    19.
    February 22, 2011
    2:50 pm

    Spencer is clearly taking the mick. He see ROG as a J3 standard player!

    Comment by Thomas
    20.
    February 22, 2011
    3:35 pm

    What sort of an ignorant gobshite writes what was said about Ronan O’Gara? I’d imagine the individual is either being sarcastic or is just mad.

    Regards

    Comment by Dave O'Brien
    21.
    February 22, 2011
    3:48 pm

    Chilling with JayZ ? Good on you. Were you both being followed by Paul Galvin?

    Comment by Mitzy
    22.
    February 22, 2011
    4:45 pm

    Well done Spencer for starting such a long debate with lunatic comments!! Next week you should debate the pros and cons about Brian O’Driscoll playing scrumhalf!

    For the Scotland game – Bowe & Reddan in, D’arcy & O’Leary out, BOD at 12, Earls at 13 and let Ferris loose around the 65 min mark.

    Cullen is unlucky but O’Callaghan has been playing a stormer since the return of O’Connell.

    Comment by Paddy
    23.
    February 22, 2011
    5:01 pm

    I agree with Spencer… ROG has to go… Perhaps like something like this?
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-JToT2_ZBo

    Comment by Tommy
    24.
    February 22, 2011
    5:47 pm

    Ok… think some people took me up wrong. Some people threw out some of the great facts put out there about ROG. Everything he has achieved. No I don’t think he should retire. He is a quality player and good bloke too. He has always been good to me and great with bringing younger players into the fray.

    Comment by Jamie Heaslip
    25.
    February 22, 2011
    6:05 pm

    Hey Jamie,
    Surprised you dignified that rabble with a response! Deep down, even ROG’s detractors must have a huge respect for him. He never was the biggest or the fastest, and to achieve what he has on the basis of pure skill and a truly incredible control of mind over matter is a massive testament to him. He’s up for the challenge thrown down by Sexy, and more power to him. If he gets his place it will be on merit.

    Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but detractors should respect what the man has achieved and keeps achieving. He has a huge role to play for Ireland yet, and every true Irish rugby fan is glad he’s there.

    I’ve followed rugby intently since it turned pro, and the quality and standards that you and your team mates are reaching is incredible. People lose sight of it in their provincial ‘mine is bigger than yours’ slagging matches on forums such as this, but I hope you and the lads see past that silliness. Best of luck with the rest of the campaign!

    Comment by Fiachra
    26.
    February 23, 2011
    1:34 am

    Good man Spencer.
    ROG has done a lot for Irish rugby but he is defunct and has been for quite some time. If he loses an early mind game good luck. Contepomi frequently antagonized him and won out in the end.
    And who else remembers his horrendous error on the last Lions tour? Jaysus – that was embarrassing. He may have been on 3 tours but has never been close to a starting Test place. There’s only so much you can do with a good right foot
    If anyone has ever met ROG they will know he’s obnoxiously arrogant. One of the worst sports persons I have ever met. A shame to the flag – the quicker he retires and the better.

    Comment by Daithi O Cofaigh
    27.
    February 23, 2011
    9:37 am

    Dear Spenno,
    Spot on! The sooner the Irish team is rid of all those Munster inbreds the better! Ronan “Turnstile” O’Gara has got to go. In fairness though he’s going to be a big hit for Munster in the Challenged Cup against the like of Dubrovnik RFC or whoever!
    Regards,
    Deccie

    Comment by Declan Gibney
    28.
    February 23, 2011
    10:35 am

    How can Jamies Blog be turned into a ROG bashing session? You lads cant expect a blog to be maintained if you continue to hijack its theme. Get on with the discussion.This is a blog by a key Irish player giving us an insight into training, preparation and more. It should not be torn down by negative detractors. Keep it going Jamie.

    Comment by Brían
    29.
    February 23, 2011
    12:37 pm

    Oh god O’Gara’s starting against Scotland. Jamie, I sympathise with you because now you’re going to have to spend most of the game protecting the 10 channel instead of doing what you do best. Shame.

    Comment by Nelly
    30.
    February 23, 2011
    12:41 pm

    Well said Brian, I’m in total agreement. Good luck on Sunday Jamie, that’s where your energy is better spent.
    Mitzy

    Comment by Mitzy
    31.
    February 23, 2011
    12:44 pm

    Cant understand why so many of you are respondning to Spencer’s blatant attempt at a wind up. You can bet he will be back next week after getting so much attention this time.

    Anyways, congrats to you and all the team on the performance last week Jamie. Although it was dissapointing to lose, we played some impressive rugby at times and with the WC looming we really seem to be moving in the right direction.

    The error and penalty count will begin to recede as the team becomes more comfortable with the high tempo game we are playing and what we will be left with, will be a team capable of playing a devastatingly effective and hugely entertaining style of rugby. The Ire V Oz match in the wc is already shaping up to be some humdinger of a game.

    BTW Jamie – Ray Foley? Really? Once Darcy’s finished in the mornings im flicking between Phantom and Nova – Can’t stand that Foley eejit.

    Comment by Macsimus
    32.
    February 23, 2011
    1:58 pm

    Quote: “One thing we’ve all learned is that you never know what Deccie (Declan Kidney) is going to do with team selection..”

    I hope this is sarcasm.

    When the Irish team was announced today the odds came in from 5/2 to 17/10 for a Scottish win.

    Comment by David.
    33.
    February 23, 2011
    2:17 pm

    I dont agree with Spenno’s comment, but it has to be said posting it under a completely unrelated jaime heaslip blog is hilarious. Spenno you’re off the mark but you gave me a great laugh!

    Comment by Starspangledspanner
    34.
    February 23, 2011
    2:34 pm

    Spencer’s point is slightly OTT but he is not totally wrong. However, before we get on to that in relation to Mick’s point, I would question what weight praise from Ian McGeechan carries. How many losing Lions tours has be presided over at this stage? The myth of Geech defies the reality of his stats. As for Stephen Jones, don’t make me laugh. That joker didn’t think O’ Driscoll was worth a place in the last Lions test team.

    ROG is a decent player and no more. He was protected for years by the Munster pack (back when they were good enough to do that). He stood so far behind the gain line he was in danger of falling of the Dingle Peninsula at times. The 10 man game Munster play ensured his limitations were never fully exposed with a decent pack in front of him. ROG is a an opposition back-row foward’s dream, a hopeless defender. Jamie can surely agree with that given the amount of times he has steam rolled him in the past few seasons. He also lacks pace and offers no threat with the ball in hand (unless he is passing it to a static Paul O’Connell standing in the first receiver position in which case this is even worse than ROG taking it on. Note to Paulie: Get out of the way and leave it to proper ball carriers. Catch lineouts and clear out rucks and that will do thanks)

    The big criticism of ROG is that he never seemed to develop his body to be a more physical player. I mean compare him to Johnny Wilkinson at his peak and you no know I mean. His lack of physicality and has always ensured he offers nothing in defence (and almost as little in attack). A respectable kicking 10 is ROG and no more.

    Comment by Eric R
    35.
    February 23, 2011
    2:42 pm

    This is truly bizarre management by Deccie. I can’t get my head around it. All the momentum that was there against the All Blacks and France vanishes once again. Sexton has been forced to play alongside a scrumhalf whose passing is not his strong point, and when Reddan appears, Sexton gets the shepherd’s hook, getting no time to show what he can do. Now that Reddan gets a start, Sexton is dropped althogether. I have nothing to do with the eejits who are making personal comments about O’Gara, but I don’t see Ireland doing anything special at the WC with him at 10. It’s the wrong type of game for this group of players, and this signifies a big step back by management, and a lack of faith in the game plan as it was. We may well kick our way to a win against the Scots, who are without three first choice backs and are in utterly terrible form. Is that what we’ve reduced it to? Make sure we get meaningless wins at this stage of the season and forget about developing a game that can cope with Australia, South Africa, France and the All Blacks?

    Deccie has really done badly by Sexton. To not allow him to finish out any big game recently, to bring in O’Gara for the last quarter was a big show of disbelief in the outhalf. To cap it off by dropping him when there is a big chance for Sexton alongside his clubmate is extraordinary. Along with the off form Leamy taking the backrow spot on the bench, Cullen getting 4 seconds against France, McFadden getting dropped from the squad of 22, there are crazy decisions happening that leave me scratching my head in wonder and with a real disappointment that the Ireland team don’t have the balls to try to be there with the top sides. Even Johnno has thrown his ‘loyalty’ out the window and preferred Flood to Wilkinson at 10. It’s the pivotal position, any team that wants to compete at the WC has to have a man there who can kick/run/pass/tackle. You’ll get so far with kick/pass, but only so far.

    Best of luck Jamie, I’m afraid you’re going to need it.

    Comment by Brid
    36.
    February 23, 2011
    2:46 pm

    Jamie,
    Great to see Bowe back, Fergus must feel unlucky to be out of the 22. Can’t for the life of me understand why Sexton is dropped – is Deccie afraid he’ll look too good outside Reddan? It’s really strange to be taking this step backwards at this stage. What will we learn about O’Gara 105 caps later that we don’t already know? What happened to building momentum for the World Cup with a running game that can actually compete on the hard ground down there?
    Crazy, crazy stuff.

    Anyway, best of luck against the Scots.

    Comment by Fiachra
    37.
    February 23, 2011
    3:24 pm

    Dear Spenno,
    Why stop there! There should be an outright exodus on all Munster personnel in the Irish Team – Kidney that includes you. I do applaud your success in striking a balance (even if you don’t go far enough) through your comment.
    Yours in Rugby
    D Gibney

    Comment by Declan Gibney
    38.
    February 23, 2011
    3:34 pm

    Whats all this fuss about ROG – both he & Sexton are both Six nations class outhalfs. Kidney obviously wants to play a different style of game (Kicking terrortrary ect ..) againts the Scots & may save Sextons for the last two games against Wales & England. Remember 4 years ago when EOS was critised for not changing his team or game plan well Kidney has just changed his team – you never win with you folks. On a seperate note – I really like to the look of a pack these days, Scotland have really good second rows/Back rows but if with can win the front row battle this willl create a good platform for Jamie, SOB & Wallace & put the backs on the front foot.

    Comment by Kieran
    39.
    February 23, 2011
    3:48 pm

    O God now the anti ROG sect will kick off again…
    I would say we will see Rog and Reddan first half and the Sexton and Stringer early second half, a combination lots wanted so as to see what S+S together can achieve. Tough on Fergus to drop out fully though.
    I think Deccie cant please everyone, he gets slatted for the changes, then if he keeps it the same he is accused of not moving forward. this is simply player rotation in the squad and what we have to get used to given the size of the squad and the increased amount of injuries in the game now.
    To all the ROG detractors who would deny him game time, i would ask “who would you have step into 10 should sexton go down injured” as has happened and could happen again any time…
    Come on Ireland show us what we know you can do by keeping the ball and have a great win in Scotland.

    Comment by Brían
    40.
    February 23, 2011
    4:09 pm

    Very disappointed that Sexton is out. Its a real step back. I wish Kidney would wake up and realise that the game has moved on. O’Gara offers nothing in attacking. Defenders know exactly what hes going to do and can shuffle accordingly. O’Gara tries to bypass this by doing crossfield kicks but its not 2007 anymore and teams are well aware of it. O’Gara’s defence allows time to steam roll his channel, catch our defence off guard and get good momentum. He was a great player circa 2004-2007 when the Argentinian-style kicking game was imperative. Now hes one of the worst outhalfs of the top sides in Europe. Just witness how is utter lack of creativity affected Munster in the HC this year! I am sick to death of hearing about O’Gara’s PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS as justifying his selection, Wilkinson won a world cup for f**k sake and was one of the greatest players to ever play the game and is benching for Flood! The Irish management don’t have the balls to drop the old guard entirely even when its justified.

    McFadden dropped for Earls? Laughable. Earls has been terrible the last 2 games. Another sad fact is that if it was not for injury Sean O’Brien and Ross wouldn’t have been near the team even though they throughly deserve to be.

    Kidney playing favourites to his old Munster buddies once again unfortunately. Any other coach in world rugby would be scratching their head as to why theres 5 Munster men on that team considering Munster’s collapse in Europe. Jennings should be there ahead of Wallace as Wallace doesn’t do any 7 work and has been for 2 games in a row behind both Heaslip and O’Brien in metres carried. Reddan should be ahead of O’Leary (only is because of injury right now), McFadden should be ahead of Earls and Sexton ahead of O’Gara. Furthermore Cullen should get a start at least once to try stake a claim.

    There should be 12 Leinster men, one Ulster man, one Ospreys man and only 1 Munster man starting. Why? Because thats what form dictates.

    Comment by Ray
    41.
    February 23, 2011
    4:16 pm

    I think people should stop going off topic. Jamie’s original post makes no reference to ROG. This is a blog detailing the life of one of the most successful rubgy players to come out of Ireland since Stephen Geoghegan.

    Anyways great blog Jamie. Great to have an insight into a professional rugby players life. Quick question you name burgers as one of your vices. Where would be your eatery of choice? You can’t go wrong witha double take burger from Eddie Rockets. Id have to do a double take if I saw you there! Might even ask you for your autograph!

    Best of Luck in the game J!

    x

    Comment by Dave Michael
    42.
    February 23, 2011
    5:35 pm

    Who’s Stephen Geoghegan?

    Comment by David.
    43.
    February 23, 2011
    5:51 pm

    “by whatever means necessary” – Think he wants you to set the pooch on ROG Jamie! Yowzers!

    Comment by Le Smurf
    44.
    February 23, 2011
    9:52 pm

    Probably means Simon Geoghegan who was unfortunate enough to play with the worst Irish team, ever and was denied a slot with the Lions. (I know, only thing in common Jamie & Simon would have is that they were/are great rugby players – absolutely no comparision on their success).

    ROG, if you are reading this (and hopefully having a good laugh while polishing all your medal and awards) remember the words of Oscar Wilde:

    “There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.”

    Comment by gerry
    45.
    February 23, 2011
    10:56 pm

    Ray,
    you’re pretty much dead right – except there should be 0 Munster on the team

    Comment by Declan Gibney
    46.
    February 24, 2011
    11:11 am

    Spenno

    Cannot believe your comments on ROG I mean to say he is a legend along with the “Wee Guy” they are the icing on the cake for the Irish Team what a performance they give its lke “Dancing on Ice” rugby stylie. He will retire whenever and thats not going to be soon. He will perform again this weekend just watch the class act!!!

    Comment by Sharon Curley
    47.
    February 24, 2011
    2:15 pm

    I don’t think he would need to set the pooch on him to be honest…just give poochie a couple of double voddies and he”ll be all out attack !!!!!

    Comment by Earl The Pearl
    48.
    February 24, 2011
    3:43 pm

    The reason why Kidney is picking all the Munster players is the same reason Clive Woodward picked all the English players for the Lions in NZ’05. Neither coach cared about current form, they just picked the players they had had success with in previous years. Kidney & his brains trust just dont have the nous to coach a style adopted by Schmidt & Leinster. I couldn’t believe it when Kids was up at Ravenhill watching Ulster vs Biarritz when he should have been at the RDS that day watching Leinster destroy Sarries. I knew then what was to be expected in the 6N and RWC’11. I would say all this if I was from Munster. Kidney Transplant Required

    Comment by Dr.Phil Riviera
    49.
    February 24, 2011
    7:35 pm

    maybe Spencer is Jamie’s alter-cyber-ego expressing his opinion on the outhalf selection without getting stick from us…I mean from the lads in camp

    Is it Jamie, is it huh?

    Comment by Ronan O'Geara
    50.
    February 25, 2011
    2:01 pm

    What a load of dribble, Rog take no notice as I’m sure your doing, a complete professional and you deserve your place in the team this weekend, sock it to them. Hess your the man!

    Comment by Jim
    51.
    February 25, 2011
    6:48 pm

    @50 did you mean drivel…?

    Comment by a.commenter
    52.
    February 27, 2011
    3:47 am

    I’m guessing Spencer Mitten is pulling our collective point-scoring legs here. However.

    For all his defensive weaknesses, O’Gara can kick. In the modern game most of your points come from a decent boot. Teach someone else (?) how to kick straight and we won’t have to revert to alternatives or listen to peculiarly named yachting types and their outlandish statements.

    Comment by Sean McDonnell
    53.
    February 28, 2011
    9:46 am

    Having read the Irish times column. I believe Spencer has stood up when others would not and I believe it is time for drico to stand up and pull Rog aside and gives him some stern advice on his career. These comments by Spencer were not fueled by hate for Rog but love for his country.

    Comment by John Montgomery
    54.
    February 28, 2011
    9:57 pm

    yer all some bunch of clowns!

    Comment by david
    55.
    March 1, 2011
    6:54 pm

    I really enjoy the blog but by Christ I hate this ROG, Munster V Leinster, my fee paying private snob school is better than yours malarkey etc. etc, etc. Grow up ye idiots

    Comment by Aidan
    56.
    March 7, 2011
    8:43 pm

    rog is finished sexton is better if you ask me rog cant tackle and yet kidney still picks him and my fee paying school is far better than yours

    many Thanks,
    Hugo

    Comment by hugo chavez

    Leave a comment

    When submitted, your comment will be moderated and, once approved, will appear on the site.

    The Irish Times reserves the absolute right not to publish comments.


Search Jamie Heaslip