Paddy Jackson can now handle the Scottish onslaught, says Brian O'Driscoll

Jackson has progressed in “leaps and bounds” since losing to Scotland on his debut.

Brian O’Driscoll was on the scene in Edinburgh four years ago when Paddy Jackson’s Ireland debut veered off script but the retired centre believes the Ulster man’s progress has been such there is no reason for Ireland to panic in Jonathan Sexton’s absence this Saturday, writes Brendan O’Brien.

Sexton’s calf injury and latest enforced absence means Jackson will start a Six Nations for the first time since that 2012/13 season when Declan Kidney thrust him into the spotlight so unexpectedly for what proved to be a traumatic afternoon at Murrayfield.