James Peter Richard "Jamie" Heaslip is an Irish rugby union player playing for Leinster and Ireland.
Background
Heaslip was born in Tiberias, Israel, while his father, retired Brigadier General Richard Heaslip, was there on duty with United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. His father was one of the founding officers of the elite Army Ranger Wing (ARW) Ireland"s special forces.
Education
He attended Newbridge College, in County Kildare. In 2004, he starred in the U-21 World Cup, held in Scotland, where Ireland finished as runners-up to New Zealand.
Career
He plays as a number 8 The first Irish cap he received was in an autumn series test of 2006 against the Pacific Islands. He had the honour of being the 1000th player to wear the green of. He Started all three tests on the Tour.
He also was nominated for the Institutional Review Board International Player of the Year for 2009.
Heaslip was named in the first Celtic League Dream Team in 2007 and along with Ben Blair and Felipe Contepomi retained his place in 2008, in 2009 he became the only player to have been named in all three sides and retained his unique record in 2010. He was sent off for against New Zealand on 12 June 2010, the first Irish player to be sent off in the professional era, for striking an opposition player (Richie McCaw) with his knee in frustration.
He subsequently received a five-week suspension from the International Rugby Board. Heaslip was selected to captain against South Africa in the 2012 Autumn Tests, after Brian O"Driscoll, Paul O"Connell and Rory Best were all ruled out through injury.
In January 2013, Heaslip was named by Declan Kidney as the new captain for the 2013 Six Nations Championship, replacing Brian O"Driscoll who had held the role since 2003.
In April 2013, he was selected for the 2013 tour to Australia. In September 2014 he bought " Bellamy"s " Public in Ballsbridge with team mates Rob Kearney, David Kearney and Seán O"Brien. After an extensive refurbishment it was reopened as "The Bridge 1859".
Team tours (2): 2009, 2013 Individual.