Jackson ‘honoured’ to play alongside O’Driscoll

Paddy Jackson paid tribute to Brian O’Driscoll as he spoke of the honour of starting his Test career alongside Ireland’s legendary outside centre.

O’Driscoll, 34, may decide to call time on his 125-cap Test career this summer but for Ulster fly-half Jackson, 21, playing his first three Tests for Ireland alongside the great man was one of the standout memories of his maiden championship, having made his Test debut against Scotland.

Jackson had got the nod for Murrayfield ahead of veteran Ronan O’Gara, who had been expected to replace the injured Jonny Sexton and despite a shaky start with the boot, he held on to the number 10 jersey against France.

The tyro was only told he was playing in Italy when he got on the team bus heading to Dublin airport on Thursday following news of Sexton’s new foot injury.

“It has been tough but I’ve learned a lot. I was just glad to get a few kicks after the Scotland game. I was very nervous going into the France game and I’m just glad I got some games back to back to get into my groove.

“It was unbelievable playing with Brian O’Driscoll. I thought I would never get the chance. Playing against him last year (for Ulster), I thought maybe that was the closest I would get but playing with him was brilliant.

“He’s just so calm and growing up watching him, he’s one of the biggest rugby players in the world. I was just chuffed to get the chance to play with him.”

As to whether O’Driscoll should retire, Jackson replied: “Never, never!”

The Ulster fly-half admitted there had been a lot to take in during a chaotic first-half in Rome when O’Driscoll went into the sin bin and backs were dropping like flies with injuries.

He could have been another one after a clash of heads with Luke Marshall that saw the inside centre concussed and Jackson left with a nasty lump on his forehead.

“He came out worse, somehow. It’s happened to me before. I think I just have a strong head. I was a bit dazed after it but then I looked and saw Luke on the ground and he was asleep. I just got on with it but it was a bit annoying to see him go off again.”

With an almost revolving door of personnel outside him, Jackson had plenty of midfield combinations to work with before Ian Madigan settled in at inside centre.

“At one stage we were talking about putting Pete (O’Mahony) in there to crash it up, but we kept him out there (on the wing). I thought Mads did well when he came on and sparked the game a bit. It was good to have him there.

“At one stage it was crazy what was going on. We’ll learn from it.”