Paddy Jackson reveals his *evil* plan to ursurp Johnny Sexton as Ireland’s out-half for the World Cup

Pure sneaky

The competition to try and make sure that you're part of Joe Schmidt's World Cup starting XV is so fierce that players have turned to truly devious methods to try and make the side. Or at least Ulster's Paddy Jackson has. The fly-half is hoping that he will be taken to the Rugby World Cup as Johnny Sexton's understudy, but is facing severe competition from Ian Madigan to ensure of his place in the squad for next month's action. The man who effectively ended Ronan O'Gara's career under Declan Kidney is now hoping he can take the place of Ireland's first choice No 10 by devious and chilling means that would be more suitable to a character from Game Of Thrones. The 23-year-old is trying his utmost to upset the former Racing Metro man.

"Johnny is a legend and he’s always helping us," Jackson said. “I like to try and build his confidence up and then sometimes during the night, I like to get up at three in the morning and play soothing music into his room to tell him I’m coming for him.”

The comment was of course said with more than just a hint of tongue-in-cheek .

But the out-half admitted, this time seriously, how eager he is to see action against Wales this weekend in Ireland's penultimate warm-up game before the World Cup.

"Definitely. I’ve been around for a few years now, so I’m looking to push for a spot."

“I’ll be looking to get my foot in there. Any chance I’ve got I’ve tried to do as well as I can. Hopefully I’ll get a run-out before the pre-season games are over."

“I was disappointed that I didn’t get too much game time last week but hopefully if I am involved, I get a bit of game time. Like I said earlier that’s what I’m trying to do; get out on the pitch and show what I can do.”

H/T Irish Times