Paddy Jackson and Ian Madigan face a possibly career defining Six Nations campaign in 2016.
The Ulster man and his Leinster counterpart are both vying to cement their place as the backup to Johnny Sexton in a few weeks, but we have a feeling the Belfast man may have stolen a march on his rival with his monster kick this afternoon in France.
Ulster were staring at a devastating European defeat to as they trailed by 23-21 in the dying minutes to Oyonnax when the visitors were awarded a penalty on halfway.
Penalty for Ulster! On the halfway line! #OYOvULS
— Off The Ball Breakfast (@OffTheBallAM) January 10, 2016
Some could hardly believe that Paddy Jackson pointed towards the posts for the kick
Oh Jesus! Are Ulster going for the penalty halfway down the field?! #Ulster #ChampionsCup
— Dainéal Ióeil (@blocdanielquois) January 10, 2016
The pressure was immense but the 24-year-old just shrugged his shoulders and launched a monster kick at the posts.
JACKSON PENALTY!!!!! from the half way line, crazy crowd but he blocked it out! Ulster lead for the first time 23-24 #SUFTUMLive
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) January 10, 2016
When he landed the kick there was only one way to describe the calmness shown by the Ulster outhalf
What a kick Paddy Jackson. Huge credit to him. Showed some balls and Ulster lead by a point with 1 min left
— John Keogh (@johnnybkeogh) January 10, 2016
The size of the balls on Paddy Jackson
— Ciarán O'Dowd (@Ciaranodowd) January 10, 2016
The absolute balls on Paddy Jackson to go for that last kick #OYOvULS
— Wheelo (@Wheelo67) January 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/paddylogan13/status/686197901962428416
@paddylogan13 @paddyjackson10 will have a hard time getting on the bus with balls that big.
— J Wood (@mxyzplx) January 10, 2016
Apart from questioning the size of his ‘man jewels’, there was also other praise for the number 10.
Incredible comeback @UlsterRugby springing @paddyjackson10, Ruan & Williams from the bench bit of luck or great tactics? #ChampionCup
— Gordon D'Arcy (@Gordonwdarcy) January 10, 2016
What a game! Out of it in the 1st half. Unbelievable in the 2nd Superb team handling and kick from @paddyjackson10 to finish it off #SUFTUM
— Pete Snodden (@PeteSnodden) January 10, 2016
Does Dewi Morris have Ulster blood? Paddy Jackson has made some strides. Demanded the ball and struck it from half way
— Daragh Ó Conchúir (@RebelDevil71) January 10, 2016
Paddy Jackson had another 15m on that kick. An absolute bomb!
— Neil Treacy (@neil_treacy) January 10, 2016
Paddy Jackson..you beaut!
— Ken Reid (@bigkenreid) January 10, 2016
And at least some fans felt that Ian Madigan should be worried about his spot in the match day 23 for the opening Six Nations game in a few weeks against Wales.
Paddy Jackson is surely ahead of Ian Madigan in selection terms at this stage?
— 50 shades of Jai (@no_bellybutton) January 10, 2016
Jackson seriously pushing Madigan now, McCloskey has to start
— Michael Feeley (@Michael_feeley1) January 10, 2016
And Jackson consistently gets overlooked for Madigan 🙈🙈
— Daniel Mooney (@DanMooney14) January 10, 2016
