HEASLIP WORRY
Injury casts doubt over No 8’s future
FEARS are growing for the rugby future of Jamie Heaslip, with the Ireland No 8 set to miss out on the start of Leinster’s European Champions Cup and no firm indication as to when he will return.
The 95-times capped Ireland international has been out of action with a back injury since playing against Wales in the Six Nations last March, missing out on the Lions tour, Ireland’s summer tour to the US and Japan and Leinster’s early Pro14 games.
While there were positive signs when Heaslip returned to training in August, Sportsmail understands that he may not be included in Leinster’s European Champions Cup squad and the veteran admits himself he cannot provide a date for his return to action.
‘I actually don’t have an answer for people,’ Heaslip told The Left Wing podcast.
‘It’s pretty complicated what I have done. I’m literally taking it week by week — some days are good and some days are bad. I knew it would happen some day, it is rugby and you are going to get hurt but I didn’t think it would be such a serious injury.’
Heaslip was first capped by Ireland against the Pacific Islands in 2006 and has enjoyed a career remarkably free of serious injury until this year.
However, the complicated nature of his back problem and his age, Heaslip turns 34 in December, has inevitably heightened concern about his
ability to make a complete return. Leinster, who begin their European Champions Cup campaign at home to Montpellier on October 14, can register up to three additional players during the pool stages but Heaslip now looks certain to miss the early rounds and Ireland’s November internationals. Leinster and Ireland will be grateful for the form of Jack Conan, who has excelled for province and country in Heaslip’s absence and will be favourite to be first choice No 8 in both backrows through the autumn. CJ Stander (left) would be another contender for the Ireland No 8 slot, having played at blindside flanker during the Six Nations last season, with Peter O’Mahony well placed to be named Ireland captain for the November series. Incumbent skipper Rory Best is not expected back for another five weeks after tearing his hamstring and speculation was already rife about the captaincy after the 35-year-old was named as Ulster captain for the season, given that it is unusual for players to combine the provincial and national leadership roles. O’Mahony could not oust Stander from the No 6 jersey during the Six Nations but turned in a man-of-the-match performance when Heaslip was ruled out of the final clash against England, before going on to captain the Lions in the first Test against New Zealand. Given Best’s age, Ireland may well have been considering a change two years out from the Japan World Cup. Heaslip would have been another contender, having led Ireland under Declan Kidney in the 2012/13 season, but the priority for the Kildare No 8 now is his back injury and what long-term effect it will have on an illustrious rugby career.