A shining light amid the darkness
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.
For the man known as “Berch”, his sense of anticipation ahead of a first start in green is infectious. The English journalists think they’re looking at Keith Wood’s long lost twin. They start with a few icebreakers: So you’re the new Woodie? “Just same barber!” Jackman chuckles. “It’s not a fashion statement with my hair. Obviously we both carry the ball a lot. Keith Wood is a legend, I’m just trying to make an impact now. It’s nice to be compared, but I’ve a long way to go before I’m considered to be in the same sentence.”
Patience has been one of his many virtues. He has made five substitute appearances for Ireland, twice against Japan in 2005, twice in Argentina last summer and 20 minutes as an impact sub against Italy last weekend. His exclusion for the Azzurri game was mystifying and on Tuesday morning at the team announcement, he prepared himself for more disappointment.
“I’ve been in the situation many times over the last 10 years where I’ve been waiting for my name to be called out only to hear nothing,” he says. “So because of that I’ll be taking nothing for granted. I toured South Africa (1998) but missed out a lot of times since.
“When I heard I was in the team for France it was such a relief. I’ve been a slow developer and now I’m here I intend staying here as long as I can. Hopefully I’ll take the opportunity on Saturday and play to my full potential and perform.”
As some of today’s colleagues were basking in the afterglow of toppling southern hemisphere superpowers in November 2006, Jackman’s career reached something of a nadir. “Two years ago I was only third choice hooker in Leinster. They had brought in Harry Vermaas and I was struggling to make an impact. I went over to play Sale where I had left three or four years previously. There I was coming back again to play for Leinster ‘A’ with academy kids. I was meeting some of the players I had played with who were playing in the Premiership every week.
“That was frustrating. I left there saying, ‘Right, I have three months to turn around my career’, because it had gone nowhere. I’d left Sale and had come back as an ‘A’ team player. Thankfully, I have turned it around and I’m really enjoying my rugby at the minute and that’s probably key. I realise how fortunate I am to be playing for my country and for a quality team like Leinster.”
Yet while he shuddered at the thought of returning to play Sale’s seconds, he remembers now how the Manchester side offered him an opportunity to live life as a professional player. “The setup over there was very good. It was the same time as Jason Robinson joined and we had a really great fitness guy by the name of Marty Hume. I put on two and a half stone over there and really developed my power. That made me a better player and then I came back to Ireland with Connacht and it’s only really when I came to Leinster and was fortunate to play with quality international players week-in, week-out that I hit my true form. I’m really enjoying it now and I hope it lasts for a lot longer.”
Jackman is one of three Newbridge College players (along with Geordan Murphy and Tony Buckley) are the others — and realising how far he has come, he commends those who helped develop his game.
“Connacht was great for me as I got to play a lot of games in the Challenge Cup against French sides who weren’t in the top six but who had strong scrums. They hadn’t the quality in the pack but had big, meaty forwards. I learned a lot there. As a player I owe most to Brent Pope who coached me in Clontarf. He really converted me into a ball-carrying player and that’s one aspect of my career that has got me through.”
His ball-carrying ability is one reason O’Sullivan favours Jackman.
“I love it. It’s one of the primal parts of rugby to get the ball and run at the opposition. It’s something Michael Cheika lets me do at Leinster a lot and he values my contribution as a ball-carrier and it’s something Eddie wants me to do as well. I want to make an impact this weekend, help us get a win.”
Jackman’s busy earning his coaching badges as well, last season he helped get Newbridge gain promotion in the Leinster League and is currently coach of Leinster League side Coolmine. But, for now, he is happy listening learning and proving that the dream shouldn’t end, even in your 30s.
“To get a start against France away is a dream come true for me and I’m determined to play to my potential and perform.”
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