THE HERALD REPORTS

Jackson tipped to be a player to look out for
KEVIN FERRIE, Chief Rugby Writer January 16 2009
Ruaridh Jackson, Glasgow Warriors' 20-year-old playmaker, has been tipped by both his club's head coach and captain to go to the very top of the Scottish game.

Having earned rave reviews when he made his first start in the Warriors No.10 jersey at Bath earlier this season, the Aberdonian will make his second at an even tougher venue when they visit Europe's biggest club, Toulouse, tomorrow.

His inclusion is among five changes to the side, which also see Colin Gregor brought in as his half-back partner, Jose Maria Nunez Piossek introduced on the wing and Dougie Hall and Dan Turner recalled in the front five.



Explaining his thinking, Sean Lineen admitted that Dan Parks has fallen short of the standards that have made him such a leader within the squad, and so the time is right for Jackson to continue his impressive development.

However, the Glasgow head coach went further, adding: "The key word is temperament. He's got an international temperament."

Lineen, who knows all about that having been one of the influential figures when Scotland won its last Grand Slam 18 years ago, added that Jackson has been working hard to improve his defensive technique and is far from the finished article.

Yet the greatest praise any player can receive is from his peers and Al Kellock, the Warriors captain, outlined just how the youngster is regarded within their squad.

Kellock said he had spoken during what he described as a decision-maker's meeting to Graeme Morrison, their international centre, about the need to help Jackson if required in the Ernest Wallon Stadium.

"I don't expect he'll need it, though," Kellock added. "Like anything, a bit of experience outside you can only help, but Ruaridh's an all-round player who kicks very well, plays the game quite flat to bring people into the game and he takes risks. He's not scared to have a go himself.

"The progress he's made since he first arrived here as an 18-year-old has been absolutely massive. He's physically a different person and is in great nick for a No.10, or for anybody.

"He just needs to get games and, judging by the way he played against Bath, he's going to be pushing hard to continue to get them."

For all stand-offs, the most important requisite is in the mental department, though, and Kellock said that is where Jackson is outstanding.

"He speaks up at meetings when he's got something to say and he doesn't speak out of turn. I like the way he handles himself throughout the week," said his captain.

"If something needs said, he says it, and because he does that people listen.

"You can have a prop or a winger coming in and they might not say anything for six months, but would just go out there and do their job. You can't afford to do that if you're a stand-off. You've got to be confident enough to give the team good direction in attack and he does that.

"He'll start getting more and more games and he's not going to be brilliant for every single game, but he's got the ability and the potential to really be a very good player. Nobody in the squad worries when they see him starting at the weekend. It's not like, this guy's only 20 years old."

While their coach had seemed ready to wield the axe in hefty fashion a week ago, Parks is one of just four men dropped along with Fergus Thomson, Opeta Palepoi and Hefin O'Hare whose places are taken by Hall, Turner and Piossek.

The switch at scrum-half, which sees Colin Gregor reintroduced, is as a result of Sam Pinder having suffered a damaged knee.

The injury situation has contributed to John Beattie's recall, but Lineen reiterated that while he is among the members of his squad who have the capacity to change games, the international back-row man has a great deal to prove to the management and his team-mates as and when he is involved.

This article was posted on 16-Jan-2009, 08:48 by Hugh Barrow.