If one name springs to mind when Movember rolls around it’s Leinster and Ireland rugby player Jamie Heaslip. For the month that’s in it, we grabbed for a quick chat.
JOE: So Jamie, how did you get involved in Movember?
Jamie: Back in 2007 I noticed a few young guys walking around with moustaches and I wondered what it was about. Then I got talking to one of Leinster’s strength and conditioning coaches, who happened to be Australian, and he said ‘Oh, that’s probably Movember, it’s massive in Australia’ so I went off and read up on it and researched it, thought it was a really good idea and wanted to get involved.
I’ve been involved every year since, I love it and I’m proud of my involvement with it.
JOE: And Movember has a lot of support in the rugby community, why is that?
Jamie: Around the world the rugby community have embraced it, I honestly couldn’t tell you why though. It’s good that lads who play a contact sports aren’t afraid to wear a mo and the Movember lads try to sell growing a mo as a manly thing to do so it seems like a good fit.
Jamie’s 2010 Movember effort
JOE: And every Autumn international series highlights it of course
Jamie: You’ve hit the nail on the head. Long may it continue. It’s a great platform to get people talking about Movember and it gets guys talking about their health.
JOE: And it helps raise the money too
Jamie: Yeah, last year there was €1.7million raised in Ireland, which is humbling when you consider the size of the country. For a small little country we can do a lot of good and this year we’re going to beat that mark.
JOE: Last week Andrew Trimble gave us a few Movember participants in the Irish rugby squad to watch out for. Who are your tips for top ‘taches this month?
Jamie: I’m looking forward to seeing Conor Murray. He’s taking the mantle on this year. Tom Court always has something good. He always has a good, big, full, frilly one.
JOE: And anything special planned yourself?
Jamie: Just going old school. Pencil ‘tache, all the way across. Nice and neat, get the hair combed over.
JOE: Looking ahead to the rugby then, how is the mood in the camp ahead of the Autumn Internationals?
Jamie: After the first week we have really good knowledge of our plan and shape and how we want to play. We have our calls and mini-plays worked out too. It’s just details now this week and we’ll be good to go.
JOE: And what are the Springboks like to play against?
Jamie: They make no bones about what they’re all about. They’ve got a big pack, great kickers and guys who can finish. They try to beat you up front and then create quick ball for their backs with powerful centres and speedy wingers. They try to grind you and break you down and if you make mistakes they punish you with penalties. They have guys who can kick penalties from 10 metres inside their own half so they’re a team that pose threats from all around.
Jamie feels the brunt of tough Springbok tackling in 2009
JOE: We have a good record against them, though, in recent years…
Jamie: We know what they are all about so we know we have to front up and meet them at the gain line and then focus on ourselves. Not give away easy penalties, don’t give them easy out, don’t let off pressure and control what we can control.
JOE: What impact will the absence of Brian O’Driscoll and Rory Best have on the team?
Jamie: We’ve played without them before and gotten on fine. At Leinster last year we had to play a good bit of last year without Brian and we managed fine. It’s just the nature of rugby and it’s an opportunity for other guys to step into their position.
Of course, I’d love the opportunity (to captain Ireland) but it’s up to the coach and I’m sure he’ll let everyone know soon enough.
JOE: And their absence leads us to the question of the Irish captaincy. Your name has been mentioned as one of the contenders. Is it something you’re thinking about?
Jamie: Anyone that plays rugby from a young age, like Roy of the Rovers stuff, wants to play for their country, be captain, all that kind of thing. But I talk about controlling the controllables and I can’t do anything about that. There are a lot of things at play and you’d have to ask Deccie (laughs). Of course, I’d love the opportunity but it’s up to the coach and I’m sure he’ll let everyone know soon enough.
JOE: And looking even further ahead, it is Lions year, is that on your mind at all?
Jamie: Not in the slightest. I think if you focus on anything that is more than a game or two away you’re focusing on the wrong thing.
JOE: Finally then, what do you make of the new Irish shirt?
Jamie: I think it looks great. A lot of people have talking about it being black and blah, blah blah but no team is entitled to have just one colour and I think it’s great and a great looking jersey. But the colour of the jersey doesn’t matter, it’s all about what goes into the jersey. That’s what we’ll be focused on, not the colour.
JOE: Good point, cheers Jamie.
Jamie: No worries, thanks a million.
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