Leinster Boss Leo Cullen Makes Startling Jamie Heaslip Revelation

Jamie Heaslip’s current contract is set to expire at the end of the season.

The Leinster back-row has been in fine form of late for both club and country but has recently revealed that he is open to leaving Ireland at the end of the season and continue his career abroad.

The number eight is one of the Irish Rugby Football Union’s biggest earners and he and his representatives are currently in discussions with performance director David Nucifora regarding a possible new deal.

Losing Heaslip would be considered a huge blow to both Leinster and Ireland as he still remains a key member of both teams, having being recently nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year.

I’m giving myself thoughts to everywhere to be honest,” he told BT Sport.

“A player has to assess his options and my agent is out there assessing the options for me and we will lay it all out on the table and make a decision at some stage.”

Asked if there were other options, he replied: “There might be. I’ve travelled a lot in my life. I’m an army brat and we lived abroad plenty.

“If that’s the call I have to make then that’s the call I have to make. We’re a long, long way from making any sort of decision.”

The comments yesterday led many to believe that Heaslip was merely using some playful tactics in order to gain a better deal with the province, but Leo Cullen has come out today with a huge revelation regarding a new deal with the back-row.

Cullen has admitted he is more ‘hopeful’ than confident that long-serving Jamie Heaslip will sign a contract extension with the province.

“I’m never confident. I’m always apprehensive… I’m hopeful,” he said.

These comments will no doubt worry Ireland and Leinster fans as while there are plenty options available in the back-row department, Heaslip still leads the way for both club and country.