PADDY JACKSON’S MOST recent Ireland appearance came against Italy in the 2014 Six Nations, but it’s looking increasingly certain that the 23-year-old will add to his tally of nine caps later this year.
Jackson kicks the conversion that earned Ulster a draw. Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
For now, the Guinness Pro12 occupies the Ulster out-half’s thoughts and his excellence in the 10 shirt was a standout feature in yesterday’s 23-23 draw with Munster at Kingspan Stadium.
It was Jackson’s last-gasp conversion that ensured a share of the spoils for Neil Doak’s side, after he had set up Paul Marshall’s try with a clever skip pass.
That moment of strong decision making and accurate execution was typical of an in-form, confident and evidently relaxed Jackson. Having recovered from an elbow injury sustained against Toulon back in January, the Ulsterman has been in superb form.
Watching on live in Belfast yesterday, Ireland coach Joe Schmidt will have been impressed once again as Jackson showed great nerve to slot that decisive final kick, ensuring a 100% return off the tee.
The last one was the most nerve-wracking but I was happy with my place-kicking,” said Jackson after the game.
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“I’ve still got a bit of work to do with my kicking out of hand but they covered the backfield well and the game was so open it was trying at times just worrying about our kick chase and having numbers on our feet. It’s something to work on.”
Jackson hasn’t enjoyed the place-kicking duties as often as he might wish this season with Ulster, as Ruan Pienaar’s reliability and range have been preferred in the biggest games.
Jackson and his Ulster teammates got superb support again at Kingspan Stadium. Presseye / William Cherry/INPHO
Presseye / William Cherry/INPHO / William Cherry/INPHO
However, Doak said the South African had been struggling to prove his full match fitness this week, meaning Ulster removed the burden of that additional pressure. Jackson took it on with comfort.
In terms of explaining his strong run of form, Jackson says the key has been getting regular game time with Ulster since his recovery from elbow surgery.
“It’s just getting games together,” said Jackson. “I’ve always said I feel I play my best when I’ve been getting back-to-back games and I’ve been able to do that now. I’ve been working hard on my kicking and I knew that if anything happened to Ruan I’d be there to take my chance. I’m glad I did that today.”
Ulster’s backline was a constant danger to Munster, as Jackson’s excellent passing and running threat combined well with the likes of Jared Payne and fullback Louis Ludik.
There were moments of real class, but also some frustrations for Jackson and his fellow backs.
“I think we probably left three tries out there in the first half,” said Jackson. “It seemed in the last month or so that those have been working out for us and it was just an overrun from Tommy [Bowe], not enough air on the ball from me and a drop from Cavey [Darren Cave] as well.
“Those seemed to come off for us in the last few games, so it was positive to get into those position again but frustrating not to finish them.”
Jackson was a real threat with ball in hand. Presseye / William Cherry/INPHO
Presseye / William Cherry/INPHO / William Cherry/INPHO
As for potential Ireland honours and the World Cup, Jackson says he hasn’t been in contact with Schmidt since his elbow injury, when the Kiwi told him to “keep my head down and work hard, try and get back in contention.”
That much Jackson has most certainly done.
Ian Keatley was opposite the Ulster out-half yesterday in Belfast, also kicking superbly off the tee and serving a reminder of his own talents as Schmidt continues to weigh up his options.
“I think myself and Keats both kicked well off the tee and Keats was controlling well and getting good length on his kicks,” said Jackson. “They were definitely looking to play a lot of territory and he did that well. I think we were probably both happy with it.”
Ulster's Jackson passes 'nerve-wracking' kicking test in front of Schmidt
PADDY JACKSON’S MOST recent Ireland appearance came against Italy in the 2014 Six Nations, but it’s looking increasingly certain that the 23-year-old will add to his tally of nine caps later this year.
For now, the Guinness Pro12 occupies the Ulster out-half’s thoughts and his excellence in the 10 shirt was a standout feature in yesterday’s 23-23 draw with Munster at Kingspan Stadium.
It was Jackson’s last-gasp conversion that ensured a share of the spoils for Neil Doak’s side, after he had set up Paul Marshall’s try with a clever skip pass.
That moment of strong decision making and accurate execution was typical of an in-form, confident and evidently relaxed Jackson. Having recovered from an elbow injury sustained against Toulon back in January, the Ulsterman has been in superb form.
Watching on live in Belfast yesterday, Ireland coach Joe Schmidt will have been impressed once again as Jackson showed great nerve to slot that decisive final kick, ensuring a 100% return off the tee.
“I’ve still got a bit of work to do with my kicking out of hand but they covered the backfield well and the game was so open it was trying at times just worrying about our kick chase and having numbers on our feet. It’s something to work on.”
Jackson hasn’t enjoyed the place-kicking duties as often as he might wish this season with Ulster, as Ruan Pienaar’s reliability and range have been preferred in the biggest games.
However, Doak said the South African had been struggling to prove his full match fitness this week, meaning Ulster removed the burden of that additional pressure. Jackson took it on with comfort.
In terms of explaining his strong run of form, Jackson says the key has been getting regular game time with Ulster since his recovery from elbow surgery.
“It’s just getting games together,” said Jackson. “I’ve always said I feel I play my best when I’ve been getting back-to-back games and I’ve been able to do that now. I’ve been working hard on my kicking and I knew that if anything happened to Ruan I’d be there to take my chance. I’m glad I did that today.”
Ulster’s backline was a constant danger to Munster, as Jackson’s excellent passing and running threat combined well with the likes of Jared Payne and fullback Louis Ludik.
There were moments of real class, but also some frustrations for Jackson and his fellow backs.
“I think we probably left three tries out there in the first half,” said Jackson. “It seemed in the last month or so that those have been working out for us and it was just an overrun from Tommy [Bowe], not enough air on the ball from me and a drop from Cavey [Darren Cave] as well.
“Those seemed to come off for us in the last few games, so it was positive to get into those position again but frustrating not to finish them.”
As for potential Ireland honours and the World Cup, Jackson says he hasn’t been in contact with Schmidt since his elbow injury, when the Kiwi told him to “keep my head down and work hard, try and get back in contention.”
That much Jackson has most certainly done.
Ian Keatley was opposite the Ulster out-half yesterday in Belfast, also kicking superbly off the tee and serving a reminder of his own talents as Schmidt continues to weigh up his options.
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Guinness PRO12 Jacko Munster Paddy Jackson PJ Ulster