Jackman ready to start all over again

Gavin Cummiskey talks to the Leinster man about returning from a broken leg to face his former Connacht team-mates

It's not ideal to start your season in March, but that is where Bernard Jackman finds himself. But what was even more disastrous, considering a vastly improved career path seemed set to open up for the 29-year-old hooker, was the injury he suffered last December.

The Clontarf club man had been waiting a lifetime for this kind of break. Not a leg break, mind.

Leinster's December visit to the Galway Sportsground to face his former adopted province resulted in a sustained period of rehabilitation under the supervision of surgeon Bill Quinlan. With the Irish management at close quarters, the timing was horrendous.

It was in last summer's tour to Japan that Jackman first got a taste of international rugby. With Shane Byrne off to Saracens and Frankie Sheahan cursed by a serious neck injury, Leinster and Ireland seemed to have a ready-made replacement.

His European Cup debut at home to Bath last October did not go to plan, especially in the lineout stakes, but a Six Nations call looked certain so long as he stood out in the domestic cat-fights over the festive period.

"Obviously breaking a leg at the start of December was a nightmare, because that was the most important part of the year. We had just come off the first two stages of the European Cup, and there were massive interpro games over Christmas against Ulster and Munster.

"While it was great to see the team perform so well, it was hard not to be a part of it. I'm just delighted to be back on the field now. I'm back three weeks. I played a half an hour for Clontarf in the AIL and I played last week in an A game.

"Shane (Byrne) was under pressure, and if I could have played well in December I could have pushed myself into the Six Nations squad.

"But I have been very lucky with injuries over my career. In the scheme of things, to break a leg, I'm lucky to get back for the season at all, so hopefully I can get back into it now and Leinster can push on and win the European Cup and I can be a part of that."

Refreshing to hear a Leinster player talking about winning Europe's prized silverware, although there are two problems Jackman must first address: the Blaney brothers.

"I think the two are ganging up on me in training, so I will have to watch my back! But no, they have done brilliant. I'm delighted for them, Brian especially, as he is only on a development contract but has played in some massive games. He got his Ireland A cap there as well. The pressure is on to get ahead of either of those two."

On the presumption that Leinster are not going to present to the media a non-playing squad member on the week of a game, Jackman should get a chance this Sunday, ironically enough against his former team-mates.

Like several Leinster men before him, his spell with Connacht put him in the shop window for a recall home.

That cross-culture relationship has a lot to do with Connacht players behaving like wild dogs when they come in direct contact with Leinster.

"When we played Connacht the last time, Mal (O'Kelly) said to me: Connacht probably hate Munster the most, do they? I was just laughing, because the game they get up for the most is the Leinster game. It is massive. I suppose it is down to a lot of ex-Leinster players play for them and have done over the years. I don't know why they enjoy it so much. Maybe it is because they have beaten Leinster down there. That's where they got most of their big scalps.

"There record up here may not be so good, but I know I have been getting texts and phone calls all week basically telling me they are going to break the leg again!

"Nah, they are really up for it and are looking for a good run-out for the Newcastle game. They were very disappointed they lost the last (pool) match in Italy."

The hooker pool is small, so if all goes to plan, Jackman will immediately come back into the reckoning for international honours. At least four hookers will be required for the Southern Hemisphere tour.

"I haven't thought about it. Before I was injured that would have been on my mind, but then I'm just glad to get back on the field now. The more game time I get the better, and hopefully I can get the starting berth and establish myself at Leinster. I'm starting all over again really."