HEAS BACK
Blues skipper Jamie returns along with rest of international stars
BY DAIRE WALSH
AS Leinster aim to bounce back from their last-gasp opening weekend defeat to Glasgow, Matt O’Connor has been boosted by the return of his Test players.
And one of them, the Blues’ newly-appointed captain Jamie Heaslip, is aware that a response is required against Llanelli tomorrow.
“It will be great to get back out there, especially for the first home game of the season,” said the Ireland No8.
“The weather is good, it will be good for the weekend and the RDS is a cool place to play on a day like that.
“Lads were a little bit sore on Monday when they came in, mentally as well as physically. It was a tough game against Glasgow.
“It was a bit disappointing but you don’t win the league on day one. We have regrouped, looked at the game, parked it and are looking forward as a group. Lads are hurting and will want to get back out there.”
In recent seasons clashes between these two sides have been given extra intrigue by the presence of the Easterby brothers, Guy and Simon, in either camp.
But this will no longer be the case as Simon has moved on from being Scarlets boss to fill the void left by outgoing Ireland forwards coach John Plumtree.
And although Heaslip acknowledges that Plumtree’s absence will be felt in the international set-up, he is certain that Easterby can step effectively into the breach. “Everyone is quite different,” said Heaslip.
“Plum was really well liked by all the players and by the pack especially. But Simon has his own characteristics. He is a really good bloke as well and he has been in that environment so he knows both sides of it as well.
“There are a couple of players he played with as well who can help him through but he is a pro. He has impressed so far and I really think he will step into his element this season.”
From both a playing and a coaching point of view, Heaslip has plenty of past experience to draw from when it comes to Easterby.
Indeed, having played alongside the 65-times capped former flanker on a handful of occasions, Heaslip credits Easterby with reinventing the role of an Irish No6.
He added: “I have come full circle with Simon. I’ve played with him, I’ve played against him, I’ve played against him coaching and now coaching with me, so it is a bit weird.
“When you have a six, a seven or an eight – or all of them – that can jump as well as your two second rows, you’re opening up the options in terms of who you can hit and where you can play in the lineout.
“Simon reinvented it for Ireland.”