THE BUILD-UP to this championship saw Jamie Heaslip’s place in Joe Schmidt’s XV questioned once again.
The number eight is unpopular among rugby fans and is regularly the man pointed to as under pressure and in danger of being replaced. The best rugby coaches in the world, however, consistently pick Heaslip and push him into leadership roles.
Whatever about his character off the field and the question marks in that regard, the number eight remains a remarkably effective rugby player.
Heaslip was the clear man of the match in Ireland’s 35-25 win over Scotland in Dublin, even in a game where several of his teammates were excellent. The Leinster man was outstanding in a performance that saw him offload the ball twice.
His second pass out of the tackle allowed Devin Toner to score his first try for Ireland, as Heaslip rode the contact and released the ball with an understanding amount of force. His provincial teammate had little to do but flop over the line.
Earlier, Heaslip had powered into a double tackle to free his hands and find Tommy O’Donnell running a clever line on the number eight’s outside shoulder. As with the offload for Toner’s try, Heaslip was deft with his release to O’Donnell.
32 metres across 18 carries possibly doesn’t signify how effective Heaslip was on the ball, with so many of his runs coming in congested channels. He invariably, and characteristically, used his footwork to avoid the trunks of defenders and find those vulnerable branches.
The 32-year-old can pass too, and delivered the ball to better-placed teammates six times, aside from that pair of offloads. When we add in 10 completed tackles in a 100% defensive performance and a mountain of ruck work, and Heaslip’s display was genuinely complete.
The number eight was selected as Schmidt’s vice-captain for this campaign and realistically he was always going to start every game, particularly after the loss of Paul O’Connell’s experience and leadership.
With big tests to come against South Africa, New Zealand and Australia later this year, Heaslip will continue to be vital for Ireland for his durability, experience and quality.
The composition of the back row moving forward is, however, a point of interest. CJ Stander has had an excellent first Six Nations campaign, debuting with a man-of-the-match display against Wales and finishing with a powerful try-scoring showing against the Scots.
Tommy O’Donnell showed his value on the openside in Dublin, having seen Josh van der Flier preferred against England and Italy. Sean O’Brien’s rather large shadow looms over that openside position and he remains track to be fit and ready for the June tour to South Africa.
Peter O’Mahony is similarly expected to have returned in time to prove his fitness for the tour, leaving Schmidt with a back row puzzle for that opening clash with the Boks in Cape Town.
Based on reputation, a back row of O’Mahony, O’Brien and Heaslip would be unsurprising, but Stander certainly has done everything he could have done to state his claims to the six shirt.
The prospect of using the Munster man as an impact replacement will certainly interest Schmidt moving forward, but his ability to get over the gainline and help Ireland to a strong start has been demonstrated powerfully in this championship.
Stander is of course a number eight by trade, and it’s fascinating to think what he could bring in that position, but Heaslip showed again against the Scots that he is close to indispensable.
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What’s with this The 42 codswallop? Its unnerving me!
They sold ‘The Score’ for €42 million.
Says alot for the German league !
Slightly misleading headline, he really means it’s harder because they know each other so well and the tactics are identical. Not so much of a swipe at the other Bundesliga teams.