Any man wearing the number 10 shirt for Scotland in the last decade has often been viewed with something between scepticism and plain hostility by the fans, and the search for someone to grasp the mantle of John Rutherford, Craig Chalmers and Gregor Townsend reaches a new level in tomorrow’s RBS Six Nations international against Ireland.
Ruaridh Jackson, the first true play-making product of the development pathway, makes his first start for his country and attempts to fill the gap since Townsend was forced out of international rugby in 2004.
To be truthful, even though his career is already getting the rose-coloured glasses treatment, he had plenty of doubters in the Murrayfield stands as well.
Jackson could well be the one we’ve been looking for, and he certainly has a better potential all-round game than most of those who have worn the 10 shirt in the last decade but the question is whether he is ready, specifically for a team in dire need of a morale-boosting win over a powerful Irish side.
Two-and-a-half years ago Jackson launched his career in spectacular style when Glasgow coach Sean Lineen surprisingly preferred him to Dan Parks for an away match against Bath in the Heineken Cup, and the then 20-year-old almost lifted his team to a shock victory.
Scotland appeared to have its own candidate to join the rush of talented new half-backs in the northern hemisphere, led by English trio Danny Cipriani, Ryan Lamb and Shane Gearghty, Welshman Dan Biggar, Ireland’s Jonny Sexton and Francois Trinh-Dhuc of France.
Fast forward, and Jackson arrives in the Six Nations with only the Frenchman anything like an established international.
Even Sexton, who has started more internationals than the rest, has been discarded by Declan Kidney for this match at Murrayfield for the old and reassuring presence of the arch-controller Ronan O’Gara.ConfidenceIt might be that at 23 Jackson is actually late in getting to the big stage, but after a shoulder injury in the opening game of last season, a loss of form and confidence and Dan Parks proving to be a match winner for Scotland throughout 2010, it doesn’t feel that way.
Although he has played solidly for his club this season, speak to seasoned followers of the Glasgow Warriors and few believe Jackson is a bona fide test fly-half yet many actually prefer his 19-year-old deputy Duncan Weir.
Jackson has had his moments this season, not least in direct opposition to O’Gara in a Magners League match against Munster in January, when the Warriors should have won but for some home-town refereeing decisions.
Head coach Andy Robinson clearly has no qualms about him, although his endorsement when announcing selection was strangely couched in terms that suggested put simply that after two defeats they might as well pitch the young lad in.
Half-back partner Mike Blair, who has teamed with Jackson from the start only once and had two brief 15 minute runs off the bench, is impressed by what he’s seen, however.
“One of Jacko’s best qualities is his confidence, he’s got a bit of a swagger about him,” said the former captain, restored to the scrum-half jersey on Sunday in place of Rory Lawson.
“He’s happy to tell elder and more experienced guys what he wants from them, so there’s going to be no more real responsibility for me, I feel, other than that which usually comes from playing at half-back.
“I’m confident in him. I think between myself and Rory there’s a slight difference in style and they’ve opted to go with me this time, and it’s the same with Dan and Jacko he’ll challenge the line more and look to keep their defence honest.”
Any fly-half, running or kicking, is next to no use behind a pack getting monstered like Scotland’s was for long periods against Wales two weeks ago, and the restoration of the pack that thrived in Argentina with Moray Low and Johnnie Beattie back to team up once again with John Barclay and Kelly Brown is welcomed by Blair.
“It’s good to get the Killer B’s back in tandem again, although I regard myself as one of them,” he joked.
“We didn’t hit the strap against Wales, and to be honest got bullied at the breakdown, so it’s got to be a massive step-up.
“Having Johnnie back is a big one, because as well as being a physical guy he can do things other guys can’t do, like his try against Ireland last year pause the tape seven metres out and you think there’s no chance he could score with three guys to beat but he found a way.”
Beattie has all the talent, but it was not until last year that it was applied to the proper duties of a number eight too often he was found in the backs and he seemed to have an obsession with proving he could kick from open play like a latter-day Zinzan Brooke.
The shoulder operation he has recovered from was an invasive one, and he admitted this week that it could be another year before he is pain-free.
One suspects that an hour will be the limit of his involvement, but if he frees up his fellow back-rowers Barclay, who has been inconsistent, and Brown, who is Scotland’s most consistent performer match to match to excel again, then it might be enough.NotoriousScotland’s odd-looking back line suggests Sean Lamont will act as another ball-carrier off first phase, and the big wing is notorious for not allowing the first hit to stop him, so the go-forward Scotland require might be there.
But it’s been so boldly advertised by the selection one would expect the big Irish hitters, specifically Jamie Heaslip and Sean O’Brien, to be standing off in wait … unless, of course, Robinson is pulling a fast one.
However, recent matches against Ireland have been wholly dependent on the set piece.
Last year in Dublin a decade’s worth of lineout dominance was ended as Scotland took the majority of Irish ball, and Ireland’s scrummage has looked creaky for some time.
Scotland’s has been no better in the first two matches, but one would expect the formation that stood up to the arch-scrummagers Argentina last summer, with Moray Low restored perhaps a game too late, to properly test what is perceived as an Irish weakness.
Nothing here can be taken for granted, however, at least until referee Nigel Owens makes his first judgment.
Errors proved the undoing of both sides last time out Ireland actually made an error on nearly a third of their possession against France, and still should have won but one suspects the story of this game is going to be about positives.
The story could be about Jackson, and Scotland finding the 10 they have craved for so long, but it’s more likely to be Ireland’s captain Brian O’Driscoll the central figure in Ireland’s rise in the last 10 years finally equalling, or even surpassing, the ancient championship try-scoring record of 23 held by Ian Smith, the Flying Scot of the 1920s.
It would simply be another blow to the Scottish psyche inflicted by the best northern hemisphere player of his generation and don’t be surprised if he obliges.