IRELAND AND LEINSTER number eight Jamie Heaslip pointed to his overseas birthplace as a factor which may lead him to ply his trade outside of this country.
Heaslip’s current contract expires at the end of the season, so he and his Ikon representation are in negotiations to extend his IRFU deal with the next World Cup in view.
However, speaking to BT Sport inside Leinster’s changing rooms at the RDS, Heaslip was keeping his options firmly propped open when asked if he was ‘giving serious thought to a new contract here’ with his 33rd birthday just a week away.
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“I’m giving thought to everywhere, to be honest. I think a player has to assess his options,” said the Israel-born Kildare man.
“My agent is out there assessing the options for me and will lay it all out on the table and make a decision at some stage.”
Asked if other big European clubs were ‘catching his eye’, Heaslip gave the coy reply:
“There might be. I’ve travelled a lot of my life. I’m an army brat and I’ve lived abroad plenty.
“If that’s the call I have to make, that’s the call I have to make, but we’re a long, long way from making any sort of decision.”
Heaslip has displayed some of his very best form during Ireland’s successful November series and both province and country would of course be loathe to lose the consistent, and consistently-fit, front-line international. However, as long as outside offers are welcome and there is no signed renewal in Ireland, there remains the possibility that Heaslip may be tempted away from these shores.
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'I'm giving thought to everywhere': Move abroad still among options for Jamie Heaslip
IRELAND AND LEINSTER number eight Jamie Heaslip pointed to his overseas birthplace as a factor which may lead him to ply his trade outside of this country.
Heaslip’s current contract expires at the end of the season, so he and his Ikon representation are in negotiations to extend his IRFU deal with the next World Cup in view.
However, speaking to BT Sport inside Leinster’s changing rooms at the RDS, Heaslip was keeping his options firmly propped open when asked if he was ‘giving serious thought to a new contract here’ with his 33rd birthday just a week away.
“I’m giving thought to everywhere, to be honest. I think a player has to assess his options,” said the Israel-born Kildare man.
“My agent is out there assessing the options for me and will lay it all out on the table and make a decision at some stage.”
Asked if other big European clubs were ‘catching his eye’, Heaslip gave the coy reply:
“There might be. I’ve travelled a lot of my life. I’m an army brat and I’ve lived abroad plenty.
“If that’s the call I have to make, that’s the call I have to make, but we’re a long, long way from making any sort of decision.”
Heaslip has displayed some of his very best form during Ireland’s successful November series and both province and country would of course be loathe to lose the consistent, and consistently-fit, front-line international. However, as long as outside offers are welcome and there is no signed renewal in Ireland, there remains the possibility that Heaslip may be tempted away from these shores.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
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hard bargain Ireland IRFU Jamie Heaslip Leinster negotiation RDS