A shining light amid the darkness

AT least there’s one feel-good story to lighten the moodduring these dark days for Irish rugby.

At the age of 31, and after years toiling in less glamorous surrounds, Bernard Jackman makes his first start for Ireland in the Stade de France tomorrow.

The Leinster hooker has experienced terrible lows during a career that has taken the Carlow-born forward from Clontarf to Sale, Connacht and Leinster. But this season, the essence of Jackman has shone through as an explosive number two, combining his ball-carrying game with calmness in the lineout.