Jamie Heaslip: In 2009 we lost the Six Nations trophy on a night out in Naas

From fatherhood and Paw Patrol, to taking a seat at the commentators’ table –Jamie Heaslip on life after professional rugby. By Kate Demolder

RTÉ and Virgin Media Television rugby commentator Jamie Heaslip, at the Aviva Stadium Dublin ahead of the start of the Six Nations Rugby Championships. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Jamie Heaslip doesn’t answer my call because he’s changing a nappy. He rings right back though, apologising and laughing while his shoulder holds the phone up to his ear: “I thought it would be appropriate to finish here first.”

A few things come to mind when discussing Heaslip. Rugby, naturally; a former Irish rugby union player for Leinster and Ireland and widely considered the best no. 8 we’ve ever had. Tech, sure; Heaslip worked in Google for a time and now pivots between investing and promoting start-ups. And pub landlord; he acts as owner and director of Dublin bars Lemon & Duke and The Bridge 1859, respectively. It’s a full-circle move, he shares, as his first job was collecting glasses in now-defunct pubs and nightclubs in the North Kildare sphere.