Heaslip’s game has changed in the past few seasons for Leinster and Ireland due to the introduction of Sean O’Brien into the team. SOB has taken on a lot of the ball carrying that Heaslip was known for. He still brings a hell of a lot to the game. Just watch him at the breakdown. The amount of ball that he turns over is the vital to the team… Same old sour grapes on here though giving a man stick about trying to do well for himself outside the game…

I think the target for Jamie Heaslip for the Autumn Internationals would be to rediscover his form of three years ago in an Irish Shirt and not worry about captaincy just yet.

To say things like “Jamie isn’t aggressive enough” and has been “off the boil for years” is extremely lazy analysis. He was put in a phenomenal amount of work this season at the breakdown, has shown top-notch control at number 8 in scrums, is a great option at line-out time, and is even back scoring tries into the bargain. If you’re going to give an opinion on a player try watching him in recent action first! That Kidney didn’t come straight out and appoint Paulie as skipper suggests the role is up for debate and Heaslip has certainly earned his place in the debate.

All the rugby experts on here I see … Heaslip is having a blinder already this season for Leinster . He had 5 turnovers to his name against Cardiff ,carried 164 Meters ,a shoe in for captain.

It might focus his mind on rugby rather than his twitter account or his restaurant

Dear Jamie
it will be Paul o Connell.

I get the impression that Jamie is becoming more and more focused on life outside rugby, ie his restaurant. There’s no doubt that his standard has dropped from what it was 2 to 3 years ago. Personally I don’t see him bringing a lot to the captains role, but then again who else do they call upon?

Would you make a better job of it yourself Tom ?

Have to laugh at the hatred of Heaslip from Munster fans because of his ‘supposed’ lifestyle. God forbid a Munster player should wear white boots, grow a moustache or own a restaurant/bar eh?!
It just really shows that the inane ramblings of George Hook actually do actually have an impact on Irish rugby perception. Heaslip is by far the best 8 we have, a Lions test player, is in great form and has a 100% record for Leinster. It’s a no brainer really.

The stuff from Diarmuid above is classic though!!

Keith Woods coming out of retirement to take the captaincy, you heard it here first….

I am not saying this cause I am a Munster man but Jamie Heaslip is just not captain material. There is something in his whole demeanor and personality that just doesn’t make him captain material. I don’t think, for example, he would be near as effective to gelling the different provinces as Pauly or Driscoll. I await the onslaught of Leinster fans…

I love how a player in such poor form can win 3 European cup medals in 4 years , considering he plays alongside two players way past they best in the centre, a secondrow not considered good enough for an Irish squad, a jumped up Outhalf, and the rest of that usless Leinster team. Yeah heaslip should retire because he’ll never do anything in rugby.
Keep watching George hook for rugby advice.

Oh jaysus no!

Heaslips been off the boil for the last 2 years, he aint agressive enough, and he’s carrying too much weight. Captaincy might be a good thing, or a bad thing, risky decision if kidney chooses him.

With a Lions tour on the horizon and the future of the Irish captaincy up for grabs, you’ll definitely see Heaslip raise his game… those kind of commercial opportunities are just too good to pass up!!

I think Jamie Heslip has regained a lot of his old form, and the position of Captain of the National Side should really be left to the coach and the other senior players. All he said he would regard it as a great honour if he was asked, he is hardly going to say anything else.

Christ..a sad day for rugby when some of you clueless armchair barstoolers can make your thoughts known. Irrelevant.

Paul o Connell is not the best player Ireland ever produced. One of the best maybe but not the best.

Captaincy should go to Reddan. He should be first choice number 9 and is in a pivotal position to lead.

Thanks journal, it’s back up twice now.

Another comment gone missing, is it me or the journal? Happening too often

Where did my previous comment disappear?

The ” best player” Ireland ever produced is better left to the old fogies like my self who saw Jackie Kyle and the ” all time greats” in action over three quarters of a century.