Jamie Heaslip has refused to put any time-frame on his return to play. The Ireland and Leinster number 8 is out injured.
Last Sunday marked nine months since the 33-year-old last played a game of rugby, Ireland’s Six Nations defeat to Wales in Cardiff.
Heaslip was a late withdrawal from the team to play England in the final game of the Championship. What was initially reported as a hamstring injury ruled him out minutes before kick-off.
The veteran back row underwent surgery on an injury to his back, but both Leinster and Ireland have been guarded in the details they have divulged about the issue.
Heaslip reportedly had a set-back which required another operation, this story if untrue, was not corrected by the communications departments of the IRFU or Leinster Rugby.
He batted questions about his return to play away yesterday, in an exchange printed in today’s Irish Examiner he refused to answer questions on the injury, resorting to one and two word answers.
Heaslip told assembled reporters at the launch of the 2017 GOAL Mile in Irishtown Stadium that his medical information was private and not a topic he was willing to discuss.
Reporter: “We’ll ask the obvious question first...”
Heaslip: “You’ll get the obvious answer...”
Reporter: “How are you feeling?”
Heaslip: “Good.”
Reporter: “Any update on the prognosis? When you’ll be back?”
Heaslip: “Nope. Nope.”
Reporter: “No deadlines or timeline?”
Heaslip: “Nope. Nope.”
Reporter: “I want to ask about the second operation...”
Heaslip: “Which operation? Who said I had a second operation? Who did?“
Reporter: “Did you have one?”
Heaslip: “I am not going to give you an answer.”
Reporter: “Are you definitely going to return?”
Heaslip: “I am not going to give you an answer on my...I have been very clear regarding my medical information.
It’s private. I’ll get back on the field when I get back on the field. That’s as best as I can give you.
I don’t mean to be hard on it, but medical information, I’ve been quite clear about [keeping it private], return to play...I’ll be on the field when I’m fit and healthy.
Reporter: “Is that because you’re not sure?
Heaslip: “No. It’s just because I don’t think, you know, my medical information is private and it’s going to stay that way unfortunately.”
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