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Jamie Heaslip has left Brian O'Driscoll with some questions to answer. Again. INPHO/James Crombie

Jamie Heaslip suggests Brian O'Driscoll may play on another year

BOD’s going to love his Ireland teammate for this.

JUST WHEN YOU thought it was safe to throw up your ‘Farewell BOD’ banner…

Jamie Heaslip has told Newstalk that his Leinster and Ireland teammate Brian O’Driscoll may play on for another season.

Despite O’Driscoll insisting, as recently as 28 January, that he is hanging up his rugby boots at the end of the season, Heaslip remains unconvinced. The Ireland vice captain said, “He has a wealth of experience, he’s a very good bloke and has a good sense of things. He’s an icon of the sport.”

“He will be missed, on all those different levels,” he added, “but there might be a chance of one more year again at the end of the season. You never know. But let’s say, if Brian does decide to finish up, it’s an opportunity for others as well. Who is going to step up. Who is going to fill his shoes.”

For the record, O’Driscoll said this, at Carton House, two weeks ago: “I was really unsure last year and there were strange emotions but it is nice knowing that you can empty the tank in this Six Nations, knowing it will definitely be the last one.”

Leinster will have a press briefing at the RDS tomorrow, following a training run at their home ground. The question of question shall raise its head again. God help the brave soul that asks it.

To listen to the sound clip, click here>>>

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25 Comments
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    Mute D
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    Feb 11th 2014, 6:13 PM

    No one ever said he could not play for Leinster for another year. Whatever HE decides is good by me.

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    Mute Des O'Leary
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    Feb 11th 2014, 7:39 PM

    Bet Scott Williams wishes he’d quit at the end of last season. :-)

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    Mute Dermot Fennelly
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    Feb 11th 2014, 5:59 PM

    Agreed Philip ,bod the best rugby player I have been lucky enough to have seen playing ,but are we going to prevent the next generation from getting a chance just because Brian changes his mind in the twilight of his career .

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    Mute Keaneland
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    Feb 11th 2014, 6:56 PM

    It’s not up to BOD to make way for the next generation, it’s up to the next generation to outplay BOD and win their place on merit.

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    Mute Eoin Kennedy
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    Feb 11th 2014, 8:10 PM

    That’s true. But we never know until it happens and the position is open. All modesty aside thinking he’s under pressure with Joe schmidt as a coach He’s not going to be dropped lets be honest. We thought we were stuck for props not to long ago and look now. If he goes there will be a burst for the position.

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    Mute Robert Barrett
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    Feb 11th 2014, 6:00 PM

    O’Driscoll’s race is run. If he was eligible, I’d have Jared Payne at 13 right now. He will be eligible in November and must be utilised then, and if not him it should be Henshaw. O’ Driscoll has a lucrative career as a pundit, after dinner speaker or business motivation guru or whatever he decides to do ahead of him and shouldn’t tarnish his memory by going on too long .

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    Mute Philip Ryan
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    Feb 11th 2014, 5:52 PM

    aah give it a rest patrick. the man is 35 and slow. he owes us nothing. Let the question be WHY Brian not When Brian. bring through some young players and blood them now! dont say who’s gonna replace him. Cave, Henshaw, Bowe, Marshall, Sheridan, Mcfadden, we’ll never know if we never try!

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    Mute patrick
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    Feb 11th 2014, 7:52 PM

    One more year, one more year, one more year, one more year, one more year, one more year, one more year,
    One more year, one more year, one more year, one more year, one more year, one more year, one more year,
    One more year, one more year, one more year, one more year, one more year, one more year, one more year,
    One more year, one more year, one more year, one more year, one more year, one more year, one more year,

    71
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    Mute Riocard Ó Tiarnaigh
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    Feb 11th 2014, 9:34 PM

    Sure if he thinks he’s still up for it, he could take half a year off like Richie McCaw and come back for the Six Nations next year, as a warm up for the World Cup!!!

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    Mute Gaz DurkS
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    Feb 11th 2014, 7:42 PM

    Fight in the old dog yet… one more yr.. heres to hoping :)

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    Mute Andrew O Gorman
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    Feb 11th 2014, 6:35 PM

    How long are we going to flog this horse the question should b where’s Jamie going to go when Sean comes back ?

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    Mute Boleyn
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    Feb 11th 2014, 6:55 PM

    You are aware they play different positions

    69
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    Mute Dermot Fennelly
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    Feb 11th 2014, 7:26 PM

    O brien well capable of playing no 8

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    Mute Ray Foley™
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    Feb 12th 2014, 12:48 AM

    I heard this interview and he did not say there might be a chance he said there would be chants from the crowd of one more year. Typical misleading crap

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    Mute John O'Regan
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    Feb 11th 2014, 7:44 PM

    The legend could play on for another 5 years but that’s just me being selfish. Has done enough for club and country, who do we turn too after he retires? Could be in trouble in that position.

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    Mute colin casey
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    Feb 11th 2014, 6:22 PM

    Agree totally with Jared Payne going in 13 he is a class act and will be a massive threat! Also Sexton will be able to utilise him far better than Jackson. Marshall & Sheridan are both 12s so they won’t compete with Henshaw & Payne for 13 jersey and Tommy Bowe on form is the best 14 in the world so schmitty will hardly push him in there.

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    Mute John Joyce
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    Feb 11th 2014, 9:15 PM

    Tommy bowe in form……….

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    Mute Declan Byrne
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    Feb 11th 2014, 10:33 PM

    I am telling you Brian is aiming for a spot on the world cup plane.

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    Mute Truth teller
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    Feb 11th 2014, 6:39 PM

    Slow news day

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    Mute padraiggrey
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    Feb 11th 2014, 9:15 PM

    Lads cop on. He was okayish against Wales and good against a poor Scottish Team This is being set up by Leinster I guess

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    Mute padraiggrey
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    Feb 11th 2014, 9:14 PM

    This has to be something organised by Leinster Supporters Cop on to yereselves lads, Do ye want any one to come through He was okayish against Wales and good against a poor Scottish team. Must be a poor news day for ye

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    Mute Nicholas Ring
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    Feb 12th 2014, 11:10 AM

    STOP telling a man what he should do and when he should do it. It’s his choice. If he keeps getting picked, what can he do.
    Everybody on here seem to know what’s best for the man. Leave him alone!!
    It’s up to other players to do what he did all those years ago and cement the position as their own.

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    Mute Andrew Potts
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    Feb 11th 2014, 10:09 PM

    With the amount wingers we have, two big lads with quick feet Gilroy and Bowe would be handy also think Cave and Macken are pretty handy. Then you also have a few Connacht lads plus maybe 12 could be Keatlys best spot so they are only queuing up alongside McFaddan to fill in.

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    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
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    Feb 12th 2014, 10:12 AM

    If he’s good enough and wanted to play then there’s no harm for another year if he wanted it.
    Simple fact is he doesn’t.
    Another think nobody is playing well enough at 13 to even push him for his jersey this year.

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    Mute Aidan Prior
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    Feb 12th 2014, 9:31 AM

    It’s probably because he’ll need an extra year to write about his 2014 Grand Slam achievement,

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