Ireland's call on Heaslip

Ireland have been dealt major blows since their impressive 24-9 win over France last weekend including a ban for Sean O'Brien & injuries for Peter O'Mahony, Jonny Sexton and captain Paul O'Connell. After an impressive 13 years in the green jersey, O'Connell's international career has come to a premature end in the eyes of many but it now time for Leinster's Jamie Heaslip to step up to the mark.

Speaking on Off The Ball Live on Wednesday night, former Ireland Head Coach Eddie O'Sullivan & ex-international Stephen Ferris discussed how Ireland had over 250 lineout variations for the 2007 Rugby World Cup and Stephen Ferris explained "you simply had to know them all or it just simply wasn't good enough for Paulie, he strives for perfection". 

It seems like only yesterday that Jamie Heaslip tore the french defence apart with his slaloming run at Croke Park in the 2008 Grand Slam winning campaign, since then he has gone on to win two Heineken Cups & two more 6 Nations Championships making him one of the most experienced members of the Irish & Leinster set up. 

Irish team manager Mick Kearney confirmed Paul O'Connell would return to the irish camp after his surgery in a motivational role which will be a massive boost to the players but it will be up to Heaslip and other senior figures in the squad to lead by example on the field this Sunday in Cardiff.

Sunday's fixture could be dominated by a battle in the forwards as Ireland try to overcome the absentees in their pack against an impressive and physical Argentine side. As thousands of irish flock to Cardiff once again, it will be a proud moment for Heaslip and his family to lead his country at the Rugby World Cup.

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