Ruaridh back to his swashbuckling best
Revitalised Jackson filling Hogg void for club and country
I’m not going to complain about playing the game I love for Glasgow
PERHAPS Ruaridh Jackson knew what was in store when he decided to adopt the Three
Musketeers look by cultivating a magnificent moustache and beard.
It looked particularly apt when he rode to the rescue of both Scotland and Glasgow Warriors this season in the absence of the equally swashbuckling Stuart Hogg.
When the world-class full-back was ruled out for at least two months with a hip injury in November, fans of the Scotstoun club were rightly concerned over who could fill his boots.
Step forward 29- year-old Jackson, who has since proved to be a more than able replacement for club and country.
The latest chapter in his remarkable campaign began in earnest after Hogg pulled out of the Australia game at the last minute.
Jackson, who hadn’t been included in Gregor Townsend’s match-day squad, had to leave the Murrayfield stands to get stripped before coming off the bench to play his part in a famous 53-24 win.
There was no time to raise a glass, however, as he was straight off to Swansea to turn out for Glasgow in their Pro14 clash with Ospreys the next day.
‘When the rest of the boys were celebrating, I was off to bed early after a couple of sing-songs and a soft drink,’ smiled Jackson.
‘I was up early and on the six o’clock flight to Wales on the Sunday morning, had a sandwich in the taxi on the way to the game and was on the pitch for the one o’clock kick-off.
‘I soldiered on for 60 minutes or so and we won by a good margin. Being part of Scotland’s win over Australia one day, and then helping Glasgow put more than 40 points on Ospreys the next, is a weekend of rugby I’ll never forget.’
The quality of his performances f or Dave Rennie’s Warriors haven’t let up since, with Jackson named McCrea Financial Services Player of the Month for December ahead of fellow nominees Jonny Gray, Nick Grigg and Matt Smith.
It was a totally justified honour and a remarkable achievement for the 29-year-old who is enjoying an Indian summer at Scotstoun.
Signed as cover from Harlequins on a one-year deal in the summer, he didn’t expect to see as much action as he has on his return to the club where he started his career.
But Jackson has played in 12 out of 13 league fixtures and all four Champions Cup games, with the only game he has missed being against Leinster in October.
As things stand, he has more game-time under his belt than anybody else in the Glasgow squad — and shows no signs of slowing up.
‘I signed a last-minute contract with Glasgow in the summer and I certainly didn’t expect to play in every game apart from one at this stage of the season, but that’s fine by me,’ said the former Wasps star.
‘Some players may like a rest but, look, I’ve had barren times in my career, so it’s nice to be on the pitch a lot. I’m not going to complain about playing the game I love for the club I love.
‘My contract is up this summer and I ’ m hoping to stay at Glasgow. The way things are building here with the new coaches, and the fact I’ve been playing a lot, has made it a very good season for me so far and I’d like to keep going.’
But what about adding to his 32 caps?
Sean Ma it land initially deputised f or Hogg against Australia, while Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill has been backing his own full-back Blair Kinghorn to be in the mix for Six Nations selection.
Maitland’s Saracens team-mate Duncan Taylor, who is more suited to being on the wing or in the centre, can also play there.
Not surprisingly, Jackson is hopeful that he will also be in Townsend’s thoughts when he names his squad next Tuesday.
‘Everybody wants to be playing for their country and I’m no Laid-back approach: Jackson poses with his Player of the Month award for Warriors different,’ said Jackson. ‘ Fair enough, he (Richard Cockerill) will be bigging up his own Edinburgh players but if Hoggy is still injured, I’m hoping I can be pushing for a Scotland jersey and be in Gregor’s mind for the Six Nations.’
Jackson believes Scotland have the most strength in depth they have ever had i n the back division during his seven-year i nternational c ar e e r. With Townsend’s innovative coaching on top of that, it makes him confident that Scotland will have a good championship.
‘We’ve always had good players in that area, but if we had one or two i njuries, we would have struggled i n the past,’ said Jackson, who made his Scotland debut against New Zealand in 2010. ‘If you look now, we have an abundance of talent. Take the centres as an example. Duncan Taylor has been outstanding for Scotland and you ask who can fill in for him during the time he was injured.
‘Then you think of Huw Jones, who comes in and scores tries for fun for Scotland. There’s also Nick Grigg who is a top quality player for us and didn’t get a sniff for Scotland in the autumn. Now you have Mark Bennett fit. You have Alex Dunbar, Peter Horne. The list goes on and on.
‘Wingers-wise, you have guys like Byron McGuigan who has been a late developer and who was outstanding against Australia in November. Lee Jones, Tommy Seymour.
‘It’s tough to get into the squad but this season with Glasgow has exceeded my expectations so far. Being part of Gregor’s Six Nations plans would make it even better.’