Jager: Ding-dong Porter battle gave me confidence

The London-born, Kildare-raised, Blackrock and Newbridge-schooled prop had a Stephen's Day tussle with Andrew Porter. And held his own. 

CAP INCOMING? Pictured is Munster Rugby star and former Crusaders player, Oli Jager as Pinergy was today unveiled as the presenting partner for Munster Rugby’s historic clash with Crusaders at the iconic GAA venue Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday, February 3rd. Pinergy, who are also proud sponsors of the Munster Senior Schools Cup, are continuing their support of this fixture which will see professional rugby return to the famous GAA grounds for the second time. Pinergy is proud to support sustaining the future of rugby in the province, and supply renewable energy to Munster’s Thomond Park and Virgin Media Park.

Unless he is a very good actor, Oli Jager’s selection for Ireland’s pre-Six Nations training camp in Portugal next week will have taken the new Munster tighthead prop entirely by surprise yesterday afternoon.

Jager was named as one of three uncapped “training panellists” by Ireland boss Andy Farrell, alongside fellow Munster forward Tom Ahern and Leinster fly-half Sam Prendergast to join the 34-man Six Nations squad in their warm-weather camp at Quinta do Lago. 

The news broke less than an hour after the Irish educated and qualified front-rower had faced the media to help Pinergy announce themselves as the official presenting partner for Munster’s eagerly-anticipated clash with his previous club, Super Rugby’s Crusaders, at Cork’s Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday, February 3.

He was not overly bullish about his prospects of a call-up given he missed last Saturday’s Champions Cup pool trip to Toulon due to a head injury sustained against Connacht on January 1.

"I've only played four games since I've been home so I haven't played a lot of rugby here yet,” Jager said. “Obviously coming in at the beginning of December as well, I had missed a few months of games before, which didn't help for the selection process as such.

"But look, I'm only focused on what Munster are doing but if something happens in the future I'll be obviously stoked for it to happen, and absolutely proud for it too.

"But yeah, I'll just focus on trying to get my rugby right and trying to get into the swing of things. The injury as well a couple of weeks ago didn't help either, it put a bit of a stop in my tracks. I'll just try to focus on the next game and whatever happens after that, happens.” 

It was an altogether positive day for the 28-year-old who gave a strong indication he will pass fit to return for Munster’s crucial Thomond Park clash with Champions Cup pool rivals Northampton Saints this Saturday, subject to completing the necessary return to play protocols.

“It wasn’t the best way to get my season on the way, but I am feeling a heap better now. Training well, training fully and stuff like that, so just getting through the week and trying to get in every session and see how we go from there.

“But things have been good, things have been working well and I’m feeling a whole lot better than I was a couple of weeks ago.” 

Jager had clearly done enough in his opening four games in Irish rugby to mark himself out as a potential Test player in Farrell’s eyes, not least in going head-to-head with Ireland’s first-choice loosehead Andrew Porter during the St Stephen’s Day derby against Leinster. 

The London-born, Kildare-raised, Blackrock and Newbridge-schooled prop was asked if that tussle with Porter had added to his belief he can step up to Test rugby.

"Yeah, I'd like to think so anyway. Like, Andrew Porter is probably one of the best looseheads in the world and it felt like we had a real ding-dong battle in that Stephen's Day game, he got some over me and I got some over him.

"Yeah, it definitely gives you confidence when you play in a game like that and it is a good battle. It's one of those things where you have to wait and see until you play that level of rugby, you don't really know yourself because everything changes when the lights go on.

"As I said, we'll focus on the European games first and what's coming up next. Fingers crossed, but we'll just take one game at a time.” 

Jager also found time to speculate on Peter O’Mahony’s potential appointment as Ireland captain and will not have been disappointed by the news that followed yesterday afternoon.

"Well I think he's a great fella, first of all, he's obviously around all the boys and has a good laugh, he's always around taking the mick in the changing rooms but once we hit the field he's stern, he knows what he wants and how to get the best out of everybody on the field.

"It all comes from a place of care, too, so look if he is named as captain, it's a fantastic fit, I think. Since I've been here and got to know him a little bit, as I said he's a great guy, a great player and a great leader, on and off the field.

"I think it will be good to see him in that role.”