Test ref Jackson lined out for Highfield in AIL

The referee for the opening test between Ireland and Argentina last weekend says he has fond memories of a season he spent playing for Highfield in the All-Ireland League.

Glen Jackson, who will be one of the touch judges when Ireland take on the Pumas in Tucuman today , spent a season with the Cork club in the mid-1990s. The out-half, who later went on to score over 1,500 points in 130 appearances for Saracens, said he jumped at the chance to go from New Zealand to Ireland.

“Graham Purvis, who was an All Black who had also played for Waikato where I was playing, became coach of Highfield so he said why not come over for six months while we had got no rugby at home, and I jumped at the chance.

“We were in the All- |Ireland League second division. It was great craic. Cork people are wonderful although trying to understand them for the first week was pretty tough. The rugby was a little bit different but I loved the passion of it. There were some pretty wet tracks and not a lot of using the backs but I enjoyed it. I was going to go back but then I got picked for the Chiefs so that changed things,” said the 38-year-old, who has been fast-tracked through professional refereeing ranks, having retired from playing four seasons ago.

Jackson said it was an adventure he enjoyed and was delighted he availed of the opportunity.

“I was back in Cork when I played for Saracens and I drove past the ground and the club were in touch with me at one point looking for another ten from New Zealand. It is a place I have good memories from,” he added.