“Johnny is a leader in the team, and that’s something that Paddy is starting to develop as well.” – Joe Schmidt, February 23, 2017
Paddy Jackson may be developing into a leader, in his seventh season as a professional rugby player, but he has not developed fast enough in the three weeks Johnny Sexton was sidelined.
Now Sexton is back and Jackson is back too – on the bench.
It has been four years since Jackson was selected ahead of Ronan O’Gara and had a fine game, in a 13-13 draw against France at the Aviva Stadium. Four years on and Jackson has not thoroughly convinced the wider public.
More importantly, he has not convinced Schmidt.
3 big changes for @IrishRugby and 3 more on the benchhttps://t.co/nH2dBhGIOR
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) February 23, 2017
The 25-year-old would have known as early as Tuesday that Schmidt was hanging the 10 jersey on Sexton’s peg. It would have been hard to take, especially after one and a half good games in the current championship. Still, his reaction to the axe was commendable.
Asked what Jackson said when he discovered he was going to be on the bench, Schmidt replied:
“He took the news with a smile and said ‘I’ll be ready, when needed, off the bench’.”
It is a measure of Jackson’s growing sense of self, and his worth to this Ireland team, that he could take such a bitter blow on the chin and seek to move on.
There was not much time spent cooing over the Ulster out-half nor sparing his feelings. “It was a call like any other,” Schmidt declared.
“We debated it and we do believe we get a good balance with having both players available.
“It’s very hard to come into a side and come off the bench when you haven’t played. So starting the match has allowed Johnny a bit more training time with the team this week.”
Given that Sexton has only finished two Tests in the last two years, Jackson should get his chance. If he can back up his selfless words with similar deeds, Ireland should be in a decent position come the closing stages.
