Heaslip always willing to adapt

DON’T WORRY, Jamie Heaslip won’t be reading this. No interest in any of it, he assured us yesterday.

This should not be perceived as criticism. A man doesn’t have to enjoy watching his profession or reading about it, to excel at it; especially if his passion and ability to do that job cannot be called into question.

At yesterday’s media conference in Riverview, ahead of tomorrow’s return leg of the Heineken Cup against Bath, Heaslip was asked whether he thinks his form had dipped of late. He has no problem with how he is playing, but obviously the media do, he replied.

Heaslip has been criticised in recent months for not being as prominent a ball carrier. Clearly his coaches have no problem with him; his place as the Leinster or Ireland number eight has never come under review.

He was last dropped by Declan Kidney during the 2009 Six Nations. That decision sparked an eagerly celebrated try when he came in for the injured Denis Leamy against Scotland. A starting role for the British and Irish Lions followed.

The problem isn’t Heaslip; it is his role in the Leinster and Ireland teams. Basically, Seánie O’Brien and Stephen Ferris (replace with Kevin McLaughlin when talking about Leinster) appear to take more ball into contact.

Heaslip is hardly off sulking on the wing. In fact, he is nowhere to be seen because he is usually at the bottom of the ruck, securing fast, clean possession.

When the print media were left alone with Heaslip, who turned 28 yesterday, he was asked if playing alongside naturally bigger ball carriers such as Ferris and O’Brien has forced a change in his natural game.

“You always have to adapt for who you are playing with in a pack, in general. Different guys, do different things. You just have to adapt and get on with it. I enjoy playing with the two boys. Two very good guys both on the pitch and off the pitch.

“It is just as much fun coming back here and playing with Leinster, especially having played with Seán at international level. I know him pretty well. It is good.”

The question is simplified: Would you like the ball in your hands more?

“Everyone would like to get their hands on more ball. Everyone would love that, sometimes you just have to get on with it.”

The issue dies at this point because the topic is unfortunately switched to Heaslip’s interest in going to rugby matches as a youngster.

“I never even went to internationals. Probably a handful of them when I was in school, but I stopped that at about 15. I don’t have a massive interest in rugby off the field. I absolutely adore playing it.

“The only matches I watch are Leinster, if I am not playing, or I go to watch my mates playing J3 on a Sunday down in Naas.”