Paddy Jackson exudes a maturity in attitude far beyond his 21 years of age. It's an important psychological tool in surviving the vagaries of professional sport where the playing pathway is rarely smooth, as he has already discovered.
He was preferred to Ronan O'Gara when Jonathan Sexton was struck down by injury during last season's Six Nations Championship and started against Scotland, France and Italy in the number 10 jersey. But by the time Ireland headed for their two-Test, summer tour to north America, he was effectively third choice.
Sexton was in Australia with the Lions, but the Ulster outhalf understudied Leinster's Ian Madigan and was limited to 20 minutes game time against Canada.
Sandwiched in between that time with Ireland was a spell with Ulster when he handed over the place-kicking duties to Ruan Pienaar. His honesty helped him cope with the decision.
“At the time last season it was fair enough because my kicking wasn’t good enough. Ruan would be one of the best in the world,” he said.
Like any self-respecting outhalf and frontline kicker, he's challenged himself to improve and reverse the pecking order. While Pienaar was on duty with the Springboks in the Rugby Championship, Jackson was a logical choice and his early season statistics (13 from 14) were impressive as he benefited from playing and being entrusted with the kicking.
'I want to be kicking'
There have been a few blips since – the Montpellier game in the Heineken Cup when he handed over the kicking tee to Pienaar, who posted five penalties in that match and last weekend in the Pro12 when he managed three from seven against the Cardiff Blues – but it hasn't dented his confidence or desire. "I'll be fighting my corner because I want to be kicking."
Sexton is Ireland's first choice outhalf but national coach Joe Schmidt must decide on his understudy for the upcoming Test matches against Samoa, Australia and New Zealand. There are varied criteria but top notch place-kicking is not negotiable. The carousel of fate has lurched one way, then another as Jackson and Madigan jockey for position.
The latter has endured the frustration of watching Jimmy Gopperth start the majority of matches for Leinster. But when called upon, Madigan's kicking percentage – 90.91 (10 from 11) – quite apart from other qualities, offers a persuasive argument for inclusion.
Jackson has been Ulster’s first choice pivot that generally starts and finishes matches and he has amassed considerably more game time than his rival. “I was playing in the Six Nations [last season] and then lost the spot to Ian [Madigan]. I was thinking, ‘I have to have a good start to the season’, which I didn’t really, ‘play well for Ulster and the rest should take care of itself’. I’m still just trying to fine tune the little bits in my game; trying to always develop.
Jackson's advantage
"It's a tough one [as to who is considered number two]. Like I said, I felt
it was me behind Ian at the end of last season. He had a great season, but now he hasn’t really played much rugby over the last few weeks. Well there must be a bit of an advantage due to me playing more games, but I can’t really presume anything.
“I’m just trying to impress Joe [Schmidt] out on the training pitch because Ian is obviously going to try to do the same. It’s a case of seeing what happens over the next two weeks.”
He doesn’t see Schmidt’s familiarity with Sexton and Madigan from the New Zealander’s previous life as Leinster coach as insurmountable. “I haven’t really thought about it that way too much. I’ve been more excited to learn a lot from him [Schmidt].
“I’ve seen that Johnny and Ian have done really well under him. He’s [Schmidt] just brilliant, the way he sees everything and it’s those little things he really focuses on. I’m just trying to learn as much as I can from him because he knows his stuff. When I’m here [Carton House] I get to see Johnny running about. It’s impressive the way he dictates things. I try and learn a bit off him.
“I’ve been happy with how I’ve been playing. As I said, Joe’s been focussing on the little things so it’s just trying to get them right, making sure we get defence and attack as good as it can be.”
In some respects he is in a familiar position that apes the specific characteristics of place-kicking, a time to keep the head down and follow through on the commitment to develop in all aspects of the game.
