Heaslip not worried by Ireland performance
Monday, 8 February 2010
Jamie Heaslip is unconcerned by Ireland's form at the beginning of the RBS 6 Nations after their hesitant 29-11 victory over Italy.
The Grand Slam champions launched their title defence in unconvincing fashion at Croke Park, giving up a try off a charge down to allow Italy to stay in the game at the end of the first half and never quite managing to get clear of the Azzuri thereafter.
France, who are considered the most likely team to seize Ireland's crown, are next up and while Heaslip refuses to hit the panic button, he admits progress must be made this week.
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'We were all over the place at points in the second half and lost our shape a bit,' he said.
'There was a load of kicking and it was hard to build any momentum, but we're happy with the way our lineout and scrum went. The game got loose at times and we needed to buckle down. Instead of throwing the ball around we needed to square up a bit more. In the end we did.
'We'll improve on those things and hopefully be in better shape against France. There are little things that need to be tweaked. There's nothing to be worried about. A bit of tweaking and it will be fine.
'It was a first day out in a few weeks for some of the boys. It was good to get the win and get the ball rolling and I'm sure we'll be in good shape for next week.
'France will be as aggressive as the Italians and will look to attack a bit more. I don't know if they'll kick as much though.'
Ireland were coasting in the first half as they amassed a 23-8 interval lead, Heaslip and Tomás O'Leary crossing for tries while Ronan O'Gara kicked 16 points but Kaine Robertson's try after blocking Rob Kearney's kick put a different complexion on things.
Heaslip rounded off a clinically executed move for his score, opting to cross himself despite having support on his shoulder.
'I'm greedy and I like scoring myself!' he said.
'There were good odds on me scoring and a few of my mates had a punt on it so why not. I'm happy to get the try and kick it off.'
Heaslip felt Ireland answered their many critics in the scrum, traditionally an area of Italian strength that was subdued at Croke Park.
'Cian Healy and John Hayes did a great job for us. The front five did a fantastic job in the scrum - it was a great effort by the pack,' he said.
'People were saying stuff before the match but I don't think they'll be saying it now.'
