Jamie Heaslip’s reported reaction to Ireland’s World Cup draw could come back to haunt him

The Irish star is in Japan for the draw

Patrick McCarry

Jamie Heaslip’s reported reaction to Ireland’s World Cup draw could come back to haunt him

It sounds as if Jamie Heaslip got a little bit carried away with himself.

Ireland have been drawn in a decent World Cup 2019 pool after today’s draw in Kyoto Japan.

Irish rugby supporters will be delighted that their side has drawn hosts Japan and Six Nations rivals Scotland, as well as two lower ranked opponents.

We'll definitely take that.
Here we go! #RWC2019 https://t.co/xCS8PB5dIH

— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) May 10, 2017

Jamie Heaslip is expected to lead Ireland on their summer tour of America and Japan if he can prove his fitness to head coach Joe Schmidt. Both men are part of the Ireland contingent in Japan for proceedings.

Heaslip appears to have lost the run of himself when the pool draw was confirmed.

By all means, there are trickier pools but the reaction reported by Alex Lowe of The Times, who is also in Japan, is certainly lacking in grace.

Jamie Heaslip punched the air when Ireland were drawn in pool one with Scotland and Japan. "We are happy with it. There are tougher groups."

— Alex Lowe 📰 (@AlexMLowe) May 10, 2017

Heaslip also told reporters:

“We get to avoid South Africa, Wales and France and that is a big thing for us.”

Considering that Scotland beat Ireland in this year’s Six Nations and Japan, who will have the backing of an entire nation behind them, beat South Africa in the last World Cup, it may not be the handy draw many are claiming.

We completely back Heaslip’s post-draw comments – why shouldn’t Ireland be pleased with the draw? – but punching the air in celebration is a step too far.

BBC reporter Tom English was not the only person to call Heaslip out for his reaction.