PADDY JACKSON SAYS he’s looking forward to making his senior debut for Ireland tomorrow in Limerick.
Yesterday, Declan Kidney named a young side for the non-cap international against Fiji at Thomond Park, featuring a trio of Ulster debutants in centre Luke Marshall, wing Craig Gilroy and fly-half Jackson.
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“I’m very happy obviously getting my first run out,” the out half said yesterday. “I’m just looking forward to getting on the pitch.
“I’m very honoured to be pulling on the Irish jersey and it’s very good to have a few of the Ulster lads that I’ve grown up with – Craig and Lukey — who I’ve known for many years now. So it’s going to be a great day.
“Obviously we’ve been feeding well through at Ulster but it’s not about Ulster this weekend it’s about Ireland, it’s all about the team coming together on the day so like I say it should be a special day.”
Skipper Jamie Heaslip is one of three players retained from last week’s defeat to South Africa at the Aviva Stadium.
Tighthead Mike Ross also returns along with scrum-half Conor Murray and Jackson says he’s enjoyed pairing up with the Munster man this week in training.
“We’ve only been training together the past couple of days but I’ve found it very good playing with him and we’ve been gelling well together. He’s obviously young but he’s got a lot of experience so it should help me a lot on the day,” he told reporters.
Paddy Jackson relishing 'special day' as Kidney looks for Ulster man to kick on
PADDY JACKSON SAYS he’s looking forward to making his senior debut for Ireland tomorrow in Limerick.
Yesterday, Declan Kidney named a young side for the non-cap international against Fiji at Thomond Park, featuring a trio of Ulster debutants in centre Luke Marshall, wing Craig Gilroy and fly-half Jackson.
“I’m very happy obviously getting my first run out,” the out half said yesterday. “I’m just looking forward to getting on the pitch.
“I’m very honoured to be pulling on the Irish jersey and it’s very good to have a few of the Ulster lads that I’ve grown up with – Craig and Lukey — who I’ve known for many years now. So it’s going to be a great day.
“Obviously we’ve been feeding well through at Ulster but it’s not about Ulster this weekend it’s about Ireland, it’s all about the team coming together on the day so like I say it should be a special day.”
Skipper Jamie Heaslip is one of three players retained from last week’s defeat to South Africa at the Aviva Stadium.
Tighthead Mike Ross also returns along with scrum-half Conor Murray and Jackson says he’s enjoyed pairing up with the Munster man this week in training.
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Conor Murray Declan Kidney Fiji IRFU New guys Paddy Jackson South Africa Springboks Thomond Park Ulster