Another step up for Ulster’s talented starlet Jackson

As Ireland international selection calls go, Declan Kidney’s choice to toss in Ulster’s Paddy Jackson against Scotland ahead of Ronan O’Gara is pretty seismic.

It was not so much a leap of faith but a gigantic Bob Beamon-type jump out of the sand pit. Much could be said of his Ulster colleague Luke Marshall’s appearance beside him but once Jonathon Sexton was ruled out of the Six Nations, the press box mind games began. But although there were hints, nobody would have put their mortgage on the mild-mannered 21-year-old from Belfast starting at Murrayfield.

It’s not that he was banging on the door but there is no doubt he has the talent and a different kind of one than O’Gara. He is more akin to Sexton with his running lines, has soft hands, flair, tactical nous and a couple of good feet.