Ace Heaslip set to get in Rocky's road.Byline: STEPHEN MANGAN Stephen Mangan (born 22 July 1972) is an English actor, best known for his role in the television series Green Wing. Biography After gaining a Bachelor of Arts in Law at Cambridge University, where his friends included Rachel Weisz and Sue Perkins, Mangan took a Jamie Heaslip Jamie Heaslip (born 3 December 1983) is an Irish rugby union player. Early life Heaslip was born in Tiberias, Israel, while his father was there on duty with the United Nations. is relishing the prospect of squaring up against his former Leinster team-mate Rocky Elsom Rocky Elsom (born 14 February, 1983 in Melbourne) is an Australian rugby union footballer. He currently plays for the New South Wales Waratahs in the international Super 14 competition. when Ireland host Australia in Croke Park Croke Park (Irish: Páirc an Chrócaigh) in Dublin, Ireland is the largest sports stadium in Ireland and the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), Ireland's biggest sporting organisation. on Sunday. Both players helped Leinster conquer Europe last season, but this weekend will be the first time the pair have played on opposing sides since Elsom's departure last summer. Heaslip regards Elsom as one of the best players in world rugby and is expecting the usual tenacity from the Wallabies captain. "I'm looking forward to the chance to play against Rocky again," said the Naas native. "I played against him once before - he's a fantastic player and probably one of the best in the world right now. "I know Rocky well and I'm really looking forward to the chance to play against an ex-team-mate with his ability. I played alongside Rocky for a year and whenever you come up against the lads you know well or played alongside, it adds a little bit extra to the game." Both players were pivotal in Leinster's back-row last season and while Elsom chose to ply his trade back home with ACT Brumbies, his fearsome reputation in Europe has lingered. Heaslip's own stock has risen rapidly since making his senior international debut in a friendly against the Pacific Islanders in 2006, but his career really took off in this year's Six Nations. The 25-year-old is now established as one of the most formidable no 8's in the world and his colossal power as a ball carrier has won him 18 international caps, as well as a regular spot in Declan Kidney's team. His pace off the back of the scrum helped Ireland to Grand Slam grand slam n. 1. The winning of all the tricks during the play of one hand in bridge and other whist-derived card games. 2. Sports The winning of all the major or specified events, especially on a professional circuit. success -and he carried that brilliant form over to provincial level, playing a pivotal role in Leinster's Heineken Cup triumph. "This year has taught me to never expect anything in rugby. Everything I've achieved with Ireland and Leinster has been invaluable - I think my game is progressing nicely but I've still a lot to learn," said Heaslip. "The experience that I've had at such a young age is going to stand to me in the coming seasons and in the big games like these upcoming tests - I'd say the same about a lot of the lads in the Irish setup." CAPTION(S): ON A ROLL Jamie Heaslip has been in great form |
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