IT’S BEEN A long time coming for Paddy Jackson. 308 days to be exact.
You have to go all the way back to August of last year for Jackson’s last start in an Ireland jersey, a 35-21 win against a second-string Welsh outfit in a World Cup warm-up at the Millennium Stadium.
Jackson will wear Ireland's 10 shirt on Saturday. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
There was a second-half substitute appearance against Romania during the big showpiece in London but that was pretty much it during that ill-fated tournament.
When fit, Johnny Sexton is unquestionably Joe Schmidt’s conductor-in-chief with Ian Madigan’s versatility and high place-kicking stats keeping him ahead of Jackson in the pecking order.
All that has changed this week, however. Sexton’s shoulder trouble and Madigan’s decision to head off to France – which initially saw him left out of the Ireland squad – has opened the door for the Ulster fly-half.
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“I’m delighted to get the start. It’s been a while,” said Jackson.
“I’ve been waiting for this chance and I’m so grateful it’s come, it’s just a great opportunity. Since I was a kid, I’ve always wanted to put on that green jersey so this is another chance for me and I’m just really looking forward to it.”
Jackson’s form with Ulster, under the guiding influence of Les Kiss, has been sublime this season.
Jackson warms up with Stuart Olding and Conor Murray. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
He’ll have a familiar face in Luke Marshall next to him in the defensive line against the Springboks with Andrew Trimble and Jared Payne providing support on the wide edges.
Jackson must be feeling confident ahead of Saturday’s Test, or as confident as you can feel facing the Boks at Newlands?
“Yeah, it’s all well having a decent season with the province and I think it’s a big step up so I will take confidence from that but also there’s gonna be nerves and excitement,” he explained.
“It’s a new challenge and it’s international rugby now so it’s a completely different ball game. From that point of view, I’m looking forward to testing myself in that environment.”
Jackson will come up against Pat Lambie this weekend, a 50-Test veteran who has featured in the past two World Cups and landed a monster last-minute penalty to bring an end to the All Blacks’ 22-game unbeaten run in 2014.
“We’ve obviously done a bit of analysis on him. Pat’s very experienced for such a young age [25],” said Jackson.
Lambie has extensive experience. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
“Getting the chance to go up against him, I’ll be looking forward to that. His kicking game is well-known and he can bring that in with his running game so, from a defensive point of view, we’re going to have to watch the backfield as well as be ready for the running game. It will definitely be a tough challenge for us.”
The biggest test in Jackson’s Test career is looming. Ireland have never tasted victory on South African soil, but the 24-year-old refused to be fazed by the challenge.
“We’re aware of it, but at the same time, there’s a lot of guys here getting a chance and I think the opportunity to go up against the Springboks at home or away, it’s such a great opportunity.
“We’re aware of it, but I don’t think that will change the way we approach the game. We need to be physical, we need to be smart and I think that’s how we’re going to approach the game as a team.”
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IT’S BEEN A long time coming for Paddy Jackson. 308 days to be exact.
You have to go all the way back to August of last year for Jackson’s last start in an Ireland jersey, a 35-21 win against a second-string Welsh outfit in a World Cup warm-up at the Millennium Stadium.
There was a second-half substitute appearance against Romania during the big showpiece in London but that was pretty much it during that ill-fated tournament.
When fit, Johnny Sexton is unquestionably Joe Schmidt’s conductor-in-chief with Ian Madigan’s versatility and high place-kicking stats keeping him ahead of Jackson in the pecking order.
All that has changed this week, however. Sexton’s shoulder trouble and Madigan’s decision to head off to France – which initially saw him left out of the Ireland squad – has opened the door for the Ulster fly-half.
“I’m delighted to get the start. It’s been a while,” said Jackson.
“I’ve been waiting for this chance and I’m so grateful it’s come, it’s just a great opportunity. Since I was a kid, I’ve always wanted to put on that green jersey so this is another chance for me and I’m just really looking forward to it.”
Jackson’s form with Ulster, under the guiding influence of Les Kiss, has been sublime this season.
He’ll have a familiar face in Luke Marshall next to him in the defensive line against the Springboks with Andrew Trimble and Jared Payne providing support on the wide edges.
Jackson must be feeling confident ahead of Saturday’s Test, or as confident as you can feel facing the Boks at Newlands?
“Yeah, it’s all well having a decent season with the province and I think it’s a big step up so I will take confidence from that but also there’s gonna be nerves and excitement,” he explained.
“It’s a new challenge and it’s international rugby now so it’s a completely different ball game. From that point of view, I’m looking forward to testing myself in that environment.”
Jackson will come up against Pat Lambie this weekend, a 50-Test veteran who has featured in the past two World Cups and landed a monster last-minute penalty to bring an end to the All Blacks’ 22-game unbeaten run in 2014.
“We’ve obviously done a bit of analysis on him. Pat’s very experienced for such a young age [25],” said Jackson.
“Getting the chance to go up against him, I’ll be looking forward to that. His kicking game is well-known and he can bring that in with his running game so, from a defensive point of view, we’re going to have to watch the backfield as well as be ready for the running game. It will definitely be a tough challenge for us.”
The biggest test in Jackson’s Test career is looming. Ireland have never tasted victory on South African soil, but the 24-year-old refused to be fazed by the challenge.
“We’re aware of it, but at the same time, there’s a lot of guys here getting a chance and I think the opportunity to go up against the Springboks at home or away, it’s such a great opportunity.
“We’re aware of it, but I don’t think that will change the way we approach the game. We need to be physical, we need to be smart and I think that’s how we’re going to approach the game as a team.”
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Ireland Johnny Sexton Paddy Jackson PJ South Africa