Heaslip not bothered by Jones’ strategic jibes

THERE was no mention of hatred on Tuesday but Ireland’s Jamie Heaslip emphasised the passion to beat England – even at tiddlywinks.

Asked what would drive his team on Saturday, after a draw and defeat in their opening two 6 Nations matches, Leinster’s No 8 said: “It’s England. Twickenham.

“If you can’t get motivated for a game like that, get out of the changing room.”

Eddie Jones’s strategic provocations claimed that neighbouring nations in particular “hate” England and while Heaslip, pictured right, didn’t quite give substance to that assertion, he added: “If you are an Irishman and you’re playing tiddlywinks or chess against an Englishman, you want to beat him.

“If you’re in a group of friends playing Scrabble and one of them is English, you want to beat him. You know what I mean. It is very easy to be motivated. We’re pret- ty motivated.”

At the Irish HQ west of Dublin on Tuesday, another of Jones’s deliberately antagonistic remarks — that Joe Schmidt’s side kick “70 percent” of their possession – were dismissed by Heaslip who said: “It doesn’t really bother me.

“I don’t think it bothers anyone. I don’t even know if that is the stat (for kicking).”

During Ireland’s last outing in Paris, flyhalf Jonny Sexton, who has been troubled by concussion issues in recent times, was forced off after being targeted for rough treatment by the French.

Schmidt and his management team have urged officials to ensure their No 10 is not subjected to illegal brutality.

“We can’t do too much about what happens off the ball, that’s up to the officials to make sure they pick it up,” said forwards coach Simon Easterby. – Daily Mail