Hero Heaslip turns to auld enemy for support

JAMIE HEASLIP has requested England assist Ireland’s RBS 6 Nations title defence – just hours after defeating Martin Johnson’s side at Twickenham.

The Lions number eight, who scooped the man-of-the-match award, sprained an ankle during the game but will be fit to face Wales in two weeks’ time.

France are well positioned to complete the Grand Slam after toppling Wales on Friday night but to do so they must dispatch England in the tournament’s climax on March 20.

A defeat for the favourites, who face Italy next, could propel defending champions Ireland back into contention.

“It would be an odd one, an Englishman doing an Irishman a favour but you never know!” said Heaslip.

“I can see England causing France problems, but France are very clinical. They punish mistakes. But if England play as they did against us, controlling pace and territory, they can neutralise a lot of France’s attributes.”

Triumphing at Twickenham was a crucial result for Ireland, who needed to restore morale after being thumped 33-10 by France a fortnight ago.

“It’s great to get another win. That was probably bit of a boost for ourselves,” said Heaslip.

“We took our opportunities against England to get the win and put ourselves back on track.

“I expect England aren’t too happy with our run against them, but that’s the way it goes.

“Before the match we talked about the fact we’d beaten them five out of six times to build up belief in ourselves.

“When we went behind that belief came out. We’d been in that position before and we worked out how to get ourselves out of it. They have a big pack but we gave as good as we got.”