Ireland Tour of Argentina: John O'Sullivanon a singular young number eight with the talent to back up his eschewing of orthodoxy
Jamie Heaslip focused on the ball, which arrived about the same time as Jerome Kaino and several New Zealand outriders. A lone green shirt engulfed by a marauding blackwash. Even though the stand was on the far side of the pitch, the collision was striking in its ferocity.
What the young Irish number eight didn't know then was his name had cropped up in the New Zealand team meeting prior to the 2004 Under-21 World Cup final. Luke McAlister was directed to put the ball in Heaslip's arms from the kick-off, allowing enough hang time for the Baby Blacks' pack, spearheaded by Kaino, to put him through the thresher; the Irishman was targeted legitimately out of respect.
Connected by a moment on the pitch in Hughenden, the aforementioned trio were once again corralled together when shortlisted for the Under-21 World Player of the Year award. Kaino picked up the gong. At that dinner Heaslip reflected on how his former opponents had cut a swathe through the representative rugby scene since the previous October.
Speaking in Limerick this week, ahead of Ireland's summer tour to Argentina, Heaslip smiled: "It got to me a little bit that the two of them accelerated their progress. At the end of that World Cup (2004) they went on the European tour with the All Blacks, which was a bit annoying to see, but you bide your time.
"I know I am in a good set-up and I'm happy where I am.
"Jerome's been dogged by injury for the past couple of seasons but I did see him a couple of weeks ago playing Super 14. Luke may be coming to Europe."
Heaslip's progress may have been more measured but the 23-year-old has simply paused briefly to attend to his education before renewing his professional vows.
That Under-21 World Cup final defeat is a familiar reference point in charting Heaslip's fledgling career because it simply confirmed his huge potential. It takes a strong character to step out of the spotlight but that's exactly what he did at a time when his currency provoked several invitations, including the offer of a senior contract with Ulster. After consulting with his family, he decided to pursue a degree in medical engineering.
"The year after we got to the final, I didn't want to play any representative rugby because I was in my final year (at Trinity). I was in the (Leinster) academy set-up and they were very good at sheltering you if you had to sit exams. Everything went through them before it got to you so you were not feeling pressure from a coach.
"I thought that when I came back into rugby I was an unknown quantity in the eyes of my team-mates. That suited me. I didn't feel that anything was expected of me and that allowed me to go out and do my thing and let people makes up their own minds."
Heaslip eschews orthodoxy, manifest in the tongue stud and his love of poker and Las Vegas, but his passion for the sport is undeniable. His performance levels this season for Leinster have maintained an upward spiral and he has shown great maturity in his game, being consistently brilliant for the province.
"This is my second year full-time," he says. "I was lucky with the timing in terms of making the breakthrough. Checks (Michael Cheika) came in and gave me the nod. The first time I was registered as a senior player was this year. In a couple of the meetings, the senior players told me I should start talking more and taking more of a leadership role. I have done that in terms of the pack.
"I'm coming on (in that respect) and am a little more confident to be able to demand more of people and myself. This year has been better for me in terms of my development. The first season I learnt that the boys could hit back. It wasn't like my Trinity days and playing Division Three."
He smiles when asked to recount how he fitted in initially: "I'm not star-struck any more; that novelty has gone. Guys are starting to look to you for advice, which allows you to be more comfortable in your surroundings. It's about having more confidence in backing yourself rather than second-guessing your performances.
"Checks and Mike Brewer give me complete support - two former number eights - so I just keep getting advice from them. Those two have no problem letting you know when they're not happy. These are two guys who have played your position, Checks at a high level and Bruiser (Brewer) at the highest level. I can't argue with them. Well, not much anyway."
Gordon D'Arcy deservedly won Leinster's Player of the Year award but Heaslip would have been a very strong contender. His form was recognised by Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan, who handed him a Test debut against the Pacific Islands, making him the subject of a future quiz question. Heaslip is the 1,000th player to be capped by Ireland.
Now he finds himself on a senior tour to Argentina - he was the outstanding Irish player in last summer's Churchill Cup - zoning in on a couple of ambitions.
"It's about getting another cap. I only have one more than you at the moment," he chuckles. "That's the first mission and I want to stake a claim for the World Cup squad.
"The back row is so competitive. When you get your chances you have to take them. I hope to get a nod for at least one of the games and get out and show my stuff. We have come from a week off so fatigue isn't really a genuine issue, and I can't believe anyone would cite a problem with winning a cap, no matter how many of them you have.
"It (the tour) is stepping up another level, which I'm really looking forward to, because I always enjoy testing myself. I got a chance this year, got a small taste, then got another A cap against Australia, which was a big test.
"Argentina will be one of the strongest sides physically that I have come up against in my career so far. I can't wait to play against Felipe (Contepomi). (I wasn't) allowed to touch him in (Leinster) training but have been winding him up for the last couple of weeks. I can't wait. I'm just hoping to get the opportunity."
A rare sign of impatience from a young man with real star quality.
It's a Big Tour for . . .
Shane Jennings
Finishing as runner-up to Martin Castrogiovanni in the English Premiership vote for player of the season illustrates his excellent form.
Won't play in the first Test because of European Cup final, but should get a run the following Saturday. Is in the most competitive sector of the squad, but a good display in Buenos Aires could be enough to earn a World Cup place.
He's a genuine seven and a brilliant all-round athlete who is equally at home in attack and defence. He would add a slightly different dynamic to the team from the man in possession, David Wallace.
After that, it's a question of whether Eddie O'Sullivan wants a genuine openside as one of the six backrow players at the World Cup, in which case Jennings will go head-to-head with Keith Gleeson for that slot, as they will do on tour and next season at Leinster.
Alan Quinlan
Ireland's try-scoring hero against Argentina in the 2003 Rugby World Cup - a score that left him requiring a shoulder operation - so there's something curiously apposite about once again facing the Pumas at a pivotal time in his career.
Assuming Ireland's first-choice back row of Simon Easterby, Denis Leamy and David Wallace are already sure of World Cup places, Quinlan finds himself in a tussle with Neil Best, Stephen Ferris, Jamie Heaslip, Shane Jennings and Keith Gleeson for the three remaining places.
O'Sullivan is a fan of the Munster flanker with the hard edge. Quinlan is a very good lineout option, mobile and a tough tackling defender - and he has curbed his impetuous streak. His try-scoring record is excellent thanks to the intelligent support lines he runs.
Brian Carney
No disputing his quality as a player and the issue of switching codes is less applicable in his case because he played wing in both league and union. There are small intricacies in the difference, but, as he has demonstrated already for Munster, he's a keen student.
He has played at the highest level in league and flourished in that company and so he wouldn't be fazed by playing Test rugby in union. That's a point he'll want to prove to Eddie O'Sullivan on this tour.
He's been nursing a slight hamstring strain, but hopefully it won't prevent him donning the green jersey in a week's time.
He's quick and strong on the ball and, given his league experience, won't necessarily conform to an orthodox wing role. Given his track record in professional sport to date, it's unlikely he'll spurn the opportunity presented.
Eoin Reddan
Underwent a hernia operation at the end of last season and so missed Ireland's summer tour to New Zealand and Australia, where Isaac Boss grabbed the jersey as back-up to Peter Stringer.
The Ulster scrumhalf should start the first Test, but Reddan will possibly be handed the number-nine shirt for the second.
He's enjoyed a wonderful season with Wasps, consistently delivering on his ability - one compliment paid to him is that World Cup winner Matt Dawson hasn't been missed. Has an eye for a gap and good pace, constantly engages opposing backrows, is quick to the breakdown and an intelligent defender.
Stringer is the man in possession and, providing Boss and Reddan are handed one Test each in Argentina, it could determine who is next in the pecking order. O'Sullivan will probably take three scrumhalves to France.
Ireland squad . . .
Neil Best (Belfast Harlequins & Ulster), Simon Best (Belfast Harlequins & Ulster, capt), Peter Bracken (Wasps), Tony Buckley (Shannon & Munster),
Leo Cullen (Leicester), Stephen Ferris (Dungannon & Ulster), Jerry Flannery (Shannon & Munster), Keith Gleeson (St Mary's College & Leinster),
Jamie Heaslip (Clontarf & Leinster), Trevor Hogan (Shannon & Leinster), Bernard Jackman (Clontarf & Leinster), Shane Jennings (Leicester), Mick O'Driscoll (Cork Constitution & Munster), Malcolm O'Kelly (St Mary's College & Leinster), Alan Quinlan (Shannon & Munster), Frankie Sheahan (Cork Constitution & Munster), Bryan Young (Ballymena & Ulster), Isaac Boss (Ballymena & Ulster), Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins & Munster), Brian Carney (Clonakilty & Munster), Gavin Duffy (Galwegians & Connacht), Robert Kearney (UCD & Leinster),
Kieran Lewis (St Mary's College & Leinster),
Barry Murphy (UL Bohemian & Munster),
Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Tomás O'Leary (Dolphin & Munster), Eoin Reddan (Wasps), Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College & Leinster), Andrew Trimble (Ballymena & Ulster), Paddy Wallace (Ballymena & Ulster).
Fixtures . . .
Saturday, May 26th - Argentina v Ireland, Club Atletico Colon, Santa Fe (8.10pm, Irish-time), Live on RTÉ 2.
Saturday, June 2nd - Velez Sarsfield stadium, Buenos Aires (8.10pm, Irish time), Live on RTÉ 2.
