Heaslip retires from professional rugby with immediate effect

February 26, 2018
1392
Ultimate Rugby

Leinster and Ireland No.8 Jamie Heaslip has announced his immediate retirement from professional rugby, bringing down the curtain on an incredible career in the sport.

Heaslip made his international debut in the 61-17 win over the Pacific Islands in November 2006 and captained the national side on 13 occasions.

Of his 95 Ireland caps he played the full 80 minutes on 72 occasions illustrating his value as both a player and a leader to the national team.

A member of the 2009 Grand Slam winning side he was also a key player in the Championship winning teams of 2014 and 2015, Jamie is one of the most successful players in Ireland's professional era.

He played his part in securing Ireland's first ever victory over the Springboks on South African soil in 2016 and just a couple of months later featured prominently in Ireland's historic first victory over New Zealand in Chicago.

He played at two Rugby World Cups featuring in all 10 of Ireland's games at the 2011 and 2015 tournaments. A two time British and Irish Lion he made 5 Test appearances across the 2009 and 2013 tours of South Africa and Australia.

At provincial level he won three Heineken Cups, an Amlin Cup and three Celtic League/Pro12 titles with Leinster and was shortlisted for World Rugby Player of the Year in both 2009 and 2016.

IRFU Performance Director, David Nucifora, said "Jamie was one of the top players in world rugby over the course of his 11 year international career. He achieved so much in the game but at the same time was a great example for younger players with his professionalism, dedication and application on and off the field."

Ireland Head Coach Joe Schmidt, said "Jamie was an intelligent and incredibly robust player. The string of trophies he contributed to is lengthy, including 3 European Cups, 3 Six Nations, including the 2009 Grand Slam and a couple of Pro12 trophies thrown in for good measure.