The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Ex-fly half still has Way to go after hanging up boots
● Ruaridh saddles up to help Weir fund and cancer charity
Ruaridh Jackson was always blessed with a bristling sense of purpose and enterprise throughout his Test rugby career. So it’s hardly surprising the former Scotland fly half and ex-Glasgow Warriors star, who announced his retirement from the professional game in May, has not been putting his feet up in the intervening period, despite the restrictions imposed by Covid-19.
On the contrary, the 32-yearold Aberdonian, who kicked a last-minute penalty on his international debut to sink Samoa at Pittodrie in 2010, has unveiled plans for a charity cycling challenge with Scotland colleagues Ryan Grant, Richie Vernon and Andrew Easson and next month the quartet will tackle the Caledonian Way – all 234 miles of it in the space of just 36 hours.
They have arranged the initiative to raise money for the MyName’5 Doddie Foundation, created by former Scotland lock Doddie Weir after he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, and Unite Against Cancer, which helps people affected with different forms of the disease, including bone cancers which often receive little attention.
Jackson, who has also started coaching at Glasgow Accies, told the Press and Journal he is determined to put something back into the grassroots game and is committed to helping charitable ventures in the future, which explains why he will be saddling-up with his colleagues for the gruelling venture on August 21.
He said: “We will be starting in Campbeltown and finishing up at Highland RFC in Inverness and, hopefully, once we arrive we can meet up with some fans and maybe watch the Pro-14 match between Glasgow and Edinburgh (at Murrayfield).
“We are aiming to raise £5,000, but we would obviously love to raise more and we are thinking of ways to spread the word and bring the rugby community together.
“I think everybody has been inspired by how Doddie has responded to being told he has MND and we want to show him how his example has given succour to so many others.
“I also want to back the efforts of the people involved with Unite Against Cancer because they are doing a terrific job, but not getting much publicity.
“I know that some people were a bit surprised when I retired back in May and I am aware that other players (such as Greig Laidlaw) are continuing their careers abroad.
“But I run a business with Ryan, my wife is expecting our first child and I didn’t fancy uprooting at this stage of my career, so it seemed the right time to bow out.
“I love rugby and I have been fortunate to have played for 14 years in the professional game. But now I am excited about getting involved off the pitch and it’s great I am getting the opportunity to visit places such as Highland RFC, who are a forward-thinking progressive club who have made positive strides forward in recent years.”
Jackson knows rugby still faces challenges before any semblance of normal competition can resume, although he believes none of them are insurmountable.
He is confident the Pro-14 tournament will return next month, albeit in empty stadiums, but reckons club matches are unlikely to be played before October.
He said: “In Scotland, we have definitely seen signs of progress in tackling Covid-19, with a reducing number of cases, but we always have to be cautious going forward.
“Rugby has more contact situations than sports such as cricket and football, so we will have to see how the protocols work for such aspects of the game as scrums and lineouts where there is no way to avoid the participants being at close quarters.
“It’s also true that you can’t just rush back into playing. It’s a physical game, with lots of big hits, so clubs will have to train for the right amount of time.
“If things keep improving, I’ll find out for myself what the timetable might be for the grassroots getting back to action when we arrive at Highland. It’s likely there will still be lots of social distancing and it is not a normal situation for anybody. But sport is gradually emerging from lockdown and rugby is clearly a big part of that process.”
The 33-times-capped Scot even hinted at pulling on a jersey again for Accies whenever the domestic club programme begins.
He said: “I won’t miss the training sessions which were part of life as a pro or the stresses involved in performing at the very highest level. But if there’s the chance for me to turn out for Accies I am definitely interested.”
Further details about the Caledonian Way Cycling Challenge are available at gofundme.com/f/cycling-thecaledonian-way