Heaslip may still explore new horizons

Jamie Heaslip has left the door open on a possible move abroad and his horizons, far from being limited to France, stretch as far as Japan and the southern hemisphere.

Born in Israel and “dragged around the world” as a child thanks to his father’s role in the Irish Army and the UN, Heaslip explored his options beyond Ireland earlier this season.

With his contract due to expire this summer, he was linked along with Seán O’Brien to a possible switch to Toulon among others before inking a new deal with the IRFU that will keep him at Leinster for another three years.

And after that? Who knows?

“There’s a lot of things I would like to do and I don’t think I have hidden that fact.

“There have been times when I have been quite jealous of friends who have done the year travelling. People say it’s great that you get four weeks off but it’s four weeks in a block.

“There are certain things you can’t do. You can’t go skiing around Christmas time like a lot of people do or people tend to go on holidays in January.

“We were down (training) in Clonmel last week in that storm and you think it would be nice to be away right now.

“They are things I can do when I finish. You can always go, there’s nothing to stop you, even if you have kids.

“My parents dragged me around the world and I absolutely love them for it.”

Heaslip has spoken in the past about the draw of life on the far side of the world and he spoke admiringly of English flanker James Haskell who has enjoyed stints in France, Japan and New Zealand between spells with London Wasps.

“Super Rugby is quite different to French and northern hemisphere rugby and it is easier when you are playing in the sun all the time, I suppose. I’m surprised not as many guys have gone to play in the southern hemisphere.”

None of which is to say that he will definitely be clocking out of Leinster in the summer of 2017. Still just 30, Heaslip also spoke of Nathan Hines (37) and Brad Thorn (39), both of whom are still making good use of their passports as rugby pros.

“I’m still open to (moving abroad). Right now I know where I am going to be for the next three years but I have talked to people like Brad about stuff and you see him at 70-odd and he’s still going strong and Hinesy who is going up to Sale now.

“If I get through the next three years and keep myself in good shape without too many injuries I don’t see why I can’t keep playing and why I can’t be of value to a club, be that here or abroad, but that is three years down the line.”

Heaslip was less open when discussing the ins and outs of his recent contract saga, which ended shortly before the Six Nations, although he did admit to talking to a number of outfits and visiting one club’s facilities in France.

In the end, Leinster won him over. Again. Not just because of the emotional investment but the facilities and staff that have made the club what it is and the kid gloves with which the IRFU manage their elite players and their game time. The retention of Heaslip and O’Brien were coups for the union after the loss of Jonathan Sexton to Racing Metro last year. It remains to be seen if the Gallic sugar daddies are more reticent about Irish talent next year when the contract circus reopens for business.

“I don’t know. They could do,” said Heaslip. “There could be guys who still go. I don’t know. I know Birchy (Bernard Jackman) will be looking to bring young guys down (to Grenoble) and he has done that. Other guys might be looking. There are only four professional clubs in Ireland and there is a bit of a funnel at the end.

“Not everyone is getting enough game time and you might get those kind of guys going as well as those in mine or Sean or Johnny’s position. That could potentially happen.”