Six Nations: Ireland captain Jamie Heaslip hails O’Driscoll response By Bryn Palmer BBC Sport at the Six Nations launch New Ireland skipper Jamie Heaslip has praised predecessor Brian O'Driscoll for his reaction to losing the captaincy after nine years.
The Leinster number eight was retained for the Six Nations after standing in for O'Driscoll during the autumn.
Continue reading the main story “I nearly had to stop myself jumping across the table to kiss him” Jamie Heaslip on the moment Kidney told him he would be captain "He came straight up to me, we shook hands and he said he was 100% behind me and if I needed any help, to just ask," Heaslip said.
"It's fantastic I can call on a player with that experience."
O'Driscoll, who turned 34 on Monday, has led Ireland in 83 of his 120 Tests, a world record he shares with former Springboks captain John Smit.
Including the Test when he led the British and Irish Lions - albeit briefly - against New Zealand in 2005, no-one has captained an international team on more occasions.
But Heaslip insists O'Driscoll's 'demotion' - he first led Ireland in 2002, and on a permanent basis since 2004 - to the ranks will not affect their relationship or the great centre's influence.
"The dynamics between us won't change," said Heaslip, who has won 52 caps since his debut in 2006.
"I have been captain of Leinster when he has been on the field, and the other way round. Brian is the same individual, the same professional, no matter whether he is captain or not. He deserves all the accolades and respect that he has.
Last six meetings - 2012 - Ireland 21-23 Wales
- 2011 - Ireland 10-22 Wales (RWC)
- 2011 - Wales 19-13 Ireland
- 2010 - Ireland 27-12 Wales
- 2009 - Wales 15-17 Ireland
- 2008 - Ireland 12-16 Wales
"They are pretty big shoes to fill and hopefully I will do an alright job. I thought it went OK in November, I learnt a lot very quickly and hopefully I can grow into the role in the Six Nations."
Kidney is also pleased - but unsurprised - at the response of O'Driscoll, for whom this will be a 13th Six Nations campaign (having missed last year's through injury) and probably his last.
"I gave Brian a bit of space that he probably didn't want," said the head coach. "But he reacted like the man he is, in exactly the same way as he plays.
"He has had another 80 minutes under his belt now in a good, tough Heineken Cup game (against Exeter last Saturday) and he is buzzing in training, pushing things on in the same way as he has always done."
“I nearly had to stop myself jumping across the table to kiss him” Jamie Heaslip on the moment Kidney told him he would be captain
"He came straight up to me, we shook hands and he said he was 100% behind me and if I needed any help, to just ask," Heaslip said.
"It's fantastic I can call on a player with that experience."
O'Driscoll, who turned 34 on Monday, has led Ireland in 83 of his 120 Tests, a world record he shares with former Springboks captain John Smit.
Including the Test when he led the British and Irish Lions - albeit briefly - against New Zealand in 2005, no-one has captained an international team on more occasions.
But Heaslip insists O'Driscoll's 'demotion' - he first led Ireland in 2002, and on a permanent basis since 2004 - to the ranks will not affect their relationship or the great centre's influence.
"The dynamics between us won't change," said Heaslip, who has won 52 caps since his debut in 2006.
"I have been captain of Leinster when he has been on the field, and the other way round. Brian is the same individual, the same professional, no matter whether he is captain or not. He deserves all the accolades and respect that he has.
Last six meetings
- 2012 - Ireland 21-23 Wales
- 2011 - Ireland 10-22 Wales (RWC)
- 2011 - Wales 19-13 Ireland
- 2010 - Ireland 27-12 Wales
- 2009 - Wales 15-17 Ireland
- 2008 - Ireland 12-16 Wales
"They are pretty big shoes to fill and hopefully I will do an alright job. I thought it went OK in November, I learnt a lot very quickly and hopefully I can grow into the role in the Six Nations."
Kidney is also pleased - but unsurprised - at the response of O'Driscoll, for whom this will be a 13th Six Nations campaign (having missed last year's through injury) and probably his last.
"I gave Brian a bit of space that he probably didn't want," said the head coach. "But he reacted like the man he is, in exactly the same way as he plays.
"He has had another 80 minutes under his belt now in a good, tough Heineken Cup game (against Exeter last Saturday) and he is buzzing in training, pushing things on in the same way as he has always done."