Jamie Heaslip: ‘Dangerous’ for Ireland after lowering Springboks: Planet Rugby

The former number eight of Ireland Jamie Heaslip insists that they have not retreated, but believes that they have moved away from the game plan that has served them well in the past.

The Simon Easterby team could not claim three titles followed by the six nations, since they ended third in the 2025 edition.

A strong defeat against France effectively ended their possibilities when they slid behind England and the eventual winners Les Bleus on the table.

Ireland aging equipment

He has asked questions about how the future is seen for Irish rugby, particularly with several of his key players now the wrong side of 30.

This Six Nations Championship They followed a series of mixed autumn nations where they lost to the All Blacks and obtained little convincing victories over Argentina and Australia.

“I really think they have stagnated,” said Heaslip RTE SPORT. “They have not advanced, they have not returned.

“And that is dangerous in sport, because at the time it stagnates, everyone else transmits it.

“France is not waiting for Ireland to catch up with them. They will continue advancing and I think that is the problem.

“We have done a great job, we have embedded our academies, all that great system. All of that was worth a lot of championships in the last five, 10 years and very good success, but it seems that it is stagnating.

“You have an aged nucleus in the team, not only the three ends that end, but there is a large core of aging there.”

Heaslip finally believes that Ireland has been influenced too much by the current trend, initiated by the Springboks, to go with a heavy bank forward.

They have often preferred the most traditional 5-3 division, but, in an attempt to counteract the 7-1 of France in the fourth round, they changed to a 6-2.

That approach based on the power properly failed since 42-27 by Les Bleus were beaten, which ended their hopes in the title of the six nations.

“We need to bring a group of players and we have to play our strengths, not try to make a 6-2 (bank division) and be forced to play a different game,” added former number eight of the British and Irish Lions.

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Stephen Ferris opinion

Heaslip’s opinion was slightly disagreed with the former Back-Row rubra in Ireland, Stephen Ferris, who acknowledges that they have really retreated in recent weeks.

“I have to say that they have backed away a bit on the six nations,” Ferris said. “You expect to improve, play, play, and don’t.

“They really fought (against Italy).

“The teams are putting it, defensively getting into their faces. His attack has not been working too. His kick game are kicking much more.

“Are they a team based on possession? Are they moving more towards Leinster’s style to kick the ball more and try to press with his defense?

“I think they are at the midpoint somewhere and have to solve it because the international rugby will not come again.”

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