All In

by Jamie Heaslip, Matt Cooper

For almost the duration of his professional career, during which he was a mainstay for Leinster and Ireland, the name Jamie Heaslip was synonymous with the No 8 jersey. An athletic and tireless presence at the base of the pack, outspoken both on and off the field, not to mention a captain for province and country, he was one of the leading lights of a generation that helped propel Irish rugby to previously uncharted heights. Written in partnership with Matt Cooper, All In is the story of Heaslip’s thirteen years at rugby’s frontline, as demanding and uncompromising a place as can be found in professional sport. From the euphoria and disappointment of life on the field to the major relationships that have helped shape the team – for better or worse – it’s the most vivid portrait yet of life behind the scenes at Leinster and Ireland, and a compelling account of what it means to put your body on the line in pursuit of excellence.

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 11, 2019

Reviews

[Bernadette Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling and excellent read providing superb insights into the highs and lows of a wonderful career in rugby. From a player who consistently went the extra miles to achieve those crucial personal gains, it explores the sacrifices, commitment and hard word required to make it to the top as a professional rugby player and to remain there. It also gives an honest behind the scenes glimpse into a super-competitive world world which can be cruel and ruthless. The most capped number eight in the history of Irish rugby, a player who was rarely injured and who recovered from any injury in record time, it details the freak injury which ended it all on 18th March 2017 in Lansdowne Road during the warmup for the Ireland England 6 Nations match; Heaslips battle to recover and return to play and the surgeons words which ended a glorious career forever almost one year later. A must read for any rugby fan and for anybody with an interest in sport, leadership, coaching, sports psychology and resilience. Excellent!

[Rutger Gerrits · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jamie Heaslip is in my list of favorite players of all time, next to ofcourse Paul O'Connell and Brian O'Driscoll, so I was eagerly awaiting this book. Heaslip offers an interesting insight on how he viewed the game, and how he wanted to become nothing but the best in everything that he did. Just as well as giving us a look on how everything can come to a halt with just a simple injury during a warming up.

[David Bowles · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very factual and no frills autobiography from one of Leinster's and Ireland's legends. As a Leinster supporter I was very interested on what Jamie ad to say about his career and life within the Ireland and Leinster camps.

The fact that he was, and remains to be, a very private person, I imagine, writing an autobiography went very much against the grain for Jamie. The result is that Jamie, although talking a lot about training methods and professional relationships, only goes so far about personal relationships and it seems to me that there is much left unsaid.

Jamie comes across as a very driven and focused person, at times ruthless. But, I guess, that is what you need to be to make it in the world of professional sport. Only very occasionally do you see the softer, more human side of Jamie.

I hope he makes it out in the 'real world', I think that he will as he seems from this book to be determined and if he is as driven in business as he was in rugby, he will do very well for himself.

[Fiona O'Reilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very engaging-one of the better rugby bios. Lots of interesting insights-including into various coaches & their methods, also into Jamie’s own approach to being the best possible pro. Well written in an entertaining style. Shows the value of a good ghost writer

[Eoin O'Sé · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best written or most entertaining rugby book going - fairly inoffensive and he has been careful not to dig out anybody from his career. I did find the bits about his preparation for games and the lengths he went to to keep himself right really interesting! Solid 6.5/10

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book but could do with proof reading as punctuation missing and some sentences are missing words

[Diarmuid O'Donovan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly std sporting bio but does feel like his voice coming through so an authentic account of a modern professional rugby player. Agood read for rugby fans.

[Stephen Curran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book, the right length and the right pace. These biography are commonplace but this is one of the better ones

[David Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

One day.