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Heaslip signs long-term IRFU contract

Ireland number eight Jamie Heaslip

Jamie Heaslip is set to end his career with Leinster after signing a new long-term contract with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU).

The in-demand Ireland number eight stated late last year that he is weighing up options at home and abroad.

Heaslip snubbed interest from overseas to put pen to paper on a new deal in 2014 and the 33-year-old British and Irish Lion has again opted to stay put by agreeing a deal which will run until after the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

“I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to continue to represent Leinster and Ireland,” said Heaslip, who has 93 Ireland caps to his name.

“My aim when I started my professional rugby career was to leave the jersey – either the blue of Leinster or the green of Ireland in a better place than when I first put it on and this new contract gives me the chance to continue to chase this dream.

“As with each and every professional rugby player we don’t do this alone and so I would like to thank my wife Sheena for supporting me always and all the coaches, fellow rugby players and supporters who have helped me live my boyhood dream – of going to work daily with a rugby ball in my hand.”

Heaslip made his debut for Leinster almost 12 years ago and has gone on to make 227 appearances for the Pro12 club.

 

 

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SK 1 hour ago
The times are changing, and some Six Nations teams may be left behind

If you are building the same amount of rucks but kicking more is that a bad thing? Kicks are more constestable than ever, fans want to see a contest, is that a bad thing? kicks create broken field situations where counter attacks from be launched from or from which turnover ball can be exploited, attacks are more direct and swift rather than multiphase in nature, is that a bad thing? What is clear now is that a hybrid approach is needed to win matches. You can still build phases but you need to play in the right areas so you have to kick well. You also have to be prepared to play from turnover ball and transition quickly from the kick contest to attack or set your defence quickly if the aerial contest is lost. Rugby seems healthy to me. The rules at ruck time means the team in possession is favoured and its more possible than ever to play a multiphase game. At the same time kicking, set piece, kick chase and receipt seems to be more important than ever. Teams can win in so many ways with so many strategies. If anything rugby resembles footballs 4-4-2 era. Now football is all about 1 striker formations with gegenpress and transition play vs possession heavy teams, fewer shots, less direct play and crossing. Its boring and it plods along with moves starting from deep, passing goalkeepers and centre backs and less wing play. If we keep tinkering with the laws rugby will become a game with more defined styles and less variety, less ways to win effectively and less varied body types and skill sets.

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