'We were the better side on the day'

A MATCH that simmered rather than exploded around the park; one of predictable tactics of kicking and dominating lineouts and certainly one courageous, match-defining scrum; a game of the darting Keith Earls being let off the leash and Tomás O’Leary showing an all-round ability and a variety of reasons why he is the preferred pick now at scrumhalf.

There was a lot to like about Ireland’s efforts, their efficiency, work ethic, discipline and a few sweet tries, but the match rarely soared above an impressively capable, outcome-driven performance. And the feeling was, well, don’t knock that.

What it also did was set up a finale at Croke Park. A final farewell to the host stadium before the return home to the Aviva Stadium at Lansdowne Road with a Triple Crown match to go with it. Perhaps Ireland is leaving the more theatrical, inventive and dramatic rugby for the final act.

But Jamie Heaslip, for one, was not allowing himself to be nervously teed up for next week and Scotland before the perspiration from the Wales match had even dried. “The lads will be thinking of getting picked first, to be honest,” said the Irish number eight. “That’s the thing I’ve learned from Deccie as coach anyway. So we’ll worry about that first. But whoever plays will want to send the place off well.

“We got a great reception here, a great crowd turned out consistently over the last few years and we want to send this place off well, definitely.

“Everyone is talking about a Triple Crown but you never know boys, you never know. It would be great. All we can worry about is the game next week, I suppose. But to be honest I haven’t given it much thought. I’m more going to enjoy today, relax, have a couple of drinks and take it easy.”

O’Leary was more gung ho to rising to the prospect of having a rugby party in GAA space. Steeped in the tradition of Gaelic games, the minor All-Ireland medal winner sees the north Dublin stadium as the perfect fit for such an amalgam of emotions.

Traditions from parish upwards are what O’Leary grew up with. His rise in hurling and then rugby in tandem with the Croke Park romance was certain to have been divinely orchestrated.

“It would be unbelievable especially as it is the last game in Croke Park,” says the Cork player. “The history, the culture on this island is all part of the identity of Croke Park. Croke Park is a massive part of the Irish identity now so if, please God, we could next week win a Triple Crown here – back to back with the Grand Slam last year – a big honour for me personally anyway.”

Triple Crowns were are all very well but Heaslip wasn’t assuming anything regarding the outcomes of other matches. Granted, he was speaking before Scotland drew with England on Saturday evening, but 25 caps into a burgeoning career and he fully understands the vagaries of the game. Even mismatches provide possibilities for unusual outcomes as England meet France next week in Paris. Heaslip doesn’t buy into the idea that Stade de France could become an abattoir for poor English lambs.

“The funny thing about France is that you never know what you might get. Whatever team turns up . . . because France are a very beatable side,” advises the Irish backrow.

“Honestly, I think they are a very beatable side. They’re a very good side and if you give them opportunities they can punish you. But I think they’re very beatable, if you match them up front physically and shut down some of their strike-runners in the backs you can cause them a whole lot of problems.

“I might send one (a message) on to Ugo (Monye) and see how he’s going and Lee Mears as well. They might do us a favour. But they will probably tell me to get lost.”

Heaslip has been growing in stature and influence. The Israel-born player is not only a beautifully balanced and powerful player around the pitch but off it also shows guile. The cliché that no wins in rugby are easy is one that anchors his expectations but on Saturday Ireland were simply better everywhere.

“They played a pretty expansive game, I thought they tried to stretch it and they made a couple of breaks,” he says. “But we did very well to slow down their ball and get our defensive line up. I don’t feel they threatened our line at all. They didn’t really show much that caused us any problems.

‘They’re still a very good side though. They’re a potent attacking force, but I think today we were the better side. I can’t say enough about them, I know a lot of their players and they’re very good. A lot of them were in the Lions squad last year and they’re top-quality boys. They’re always a dangerous side but I don’t think they can have an argument with us. We were the better side on the day.

“But Jesus boys, that could turn. I know Wales. That could turn like that.”