Hot Press exclusive Jamie Heaslip Interview

In a year when Ireland's rugby team carries big hopes into the Six Nations Championship, its new leader Jamie Heaslip discusses his remarkable career, why he doesn't watch rugby, having 'Happy Birthday' sung to him by Marcus Mumford, and kicking Lions coach Warren Gartland in the shins, with John Walshe for Hot Press.

"The highlight for me was in November, captaining Ireland. I was getting my mate an engagement card in Tesco on Baggot Street when I got a phone call off Declan Kidney. My first thought when I get a phone call off Deccie is, "What have I done."

"The only thing I haven't won is the World Cup – and a Schools Cup medal with Newbridge College. But I've no regrets. I always say you learn from everythinh you've done, good or bad. All the experiences I've had have made me the person I am."

Jamie also weighs in with a few opinions on the average Premier League soccer player:

"I would say they're paid too much. They're paid, at times, crazy amounts, but that's the business of their sport."

Read the full interview in the new edition of Hot Press which is in shops now. In our jam-packed first edition of 2013 we also have interviews with Villagers Conor J. O'Brien, Irish soccer international Seamus Coleman, US sister-trio Haim, The Lumineers, The Strypes and Derry singing sensation SOAK. Order this issue here.