It's a big month for Jamie Heaslip. he'll be leading the line for Ireland in the autumn internationls with so many big names from the Irish team on the sidelines. And it's also Movember, one of his favourite months. Balls caught up with Heaslip recently and found the Ireland number 8 dispensing all kinds of wisdom to the mo bro's of the world, while finding time to talk a bit of rugby as well.
Jamie, men all around Ireland this afternoon are staring at the bit of fuzz above their lip in utter panic. Have you any advice for them?
Definitely. Stay strong and go with the flow. The first 10 of 14 days are tough. Really tough. You’re going to face a lot of slagging in work. You’ve just got to stay strong. Start clean and go from there. If you’re in and around Dublin, I recommend heading down to the Waldorf barbers on Westmoreland Street, and getting the hot towel shave. Those lads will clean everything up for you and get it looking nice.
Tell us about your moustache philosophy and what kind of mo you’ll be wearing this Movember?
I love the handlebar mo. I rocked it once, just for the sheer creepiness of it. This year I’ll be going with the pencil mo I’ve been sporting the last couple of seasons. I’ll be slicking the hair back as well just to accentuate the mo.
You’re a dog owner. What’s it like being a professional rugby player with a dog like Jay-Z to look after?
It was a little chaotic at first, but I’ve adjusted. We’ve got the toilet training down. When we’re playing, he’ll stay up in Naas. I say he’s like the real Jay-Z. He’s got houses all over the place.
What’s the buzz like in the Ireland camp a few days ahead of the Springboks match with the likes of Brian O’Driscoll, Rory Best, Rob Kearney and Stephen Ferris all out with injury?
The mood is really good in the camp. We’ve taken ourselves apart, we’ve gotten our head around our shape, and getting our calls down for the lineout and our miniplay. Even without the likes of Brian O’Driscoll and Rory Best, we’re blessed with a squad of leaders, be it Johnny Sexton, Gordon D’arcy, Chris Henry, or John Muldoon. There’s experience all around.
Is there much of a hangover from the New Zealand tour?
Not really, that was such a long time ago. A lot of rugby has been played since then. It’s a shame because we were so close against the All-Blacks in that second test and we couldn’t close it out. But it’s not looming over us. We’re ready for South Africa. Last week was the best was the best week prep-wise we’ve had in a long time.
Final message to your mo bro’s?
Stay strong, people.
