"He Was Sick To His Stomach About It" - Cian Healy
Cian Healy says suggestions Jamie Heaslip's injury was feigned to cover for him being dropped are disrespectful to the Ireland international.
The Leinster number 8 was a late withdrawal for the final Six Nations clash with England last week with an injury first said to be an ankle knock by the IRFU then later changed to hamstring injury by Joe Schmidt.
Healy though feels there is nothing in the theory that Schmidt had planned on axing one of his most experienced players after criticism of his performance in the 22-9 loss to Wales:
"You have to look at Jamie's face when he was pulled from it to know the real truth. He was sick to his stomach about it.
“How upset he was shows the level of player he was. Something like that is something media want to mull up to make a story, that’s not how it is with us."
Healy feels the claims, which were described as a “slight” and a “flawed theory” by Joe Schmidt are unfair:
"Unfair on everyone to do so, If someone deserves a starting position, they get spoken about for being a starter.
“If somebody is injured, it's an honesty call that their injured and respect to the other player that get brought up the team. We don’t do any messing about like that and certainly Jamie doesn't."
Life Style Sports and Cian Healy today were calling all Leinster Rugby fans to get involved in their Fuel the 4th fan campaign in the club’s bid for European glory by asking them to post messages of support to their favourite player using #FuelThe4th.
The winner with the most inspirational post and three of their mates will watch Leinster take on Wasps in their very own bespoke premium level box in the Aviva Stadium on April 1st.