Ruaridh Jackson eager to make fresh start after season of woe

Published on Tuesday 6 July 2010 17:41

GLASGOW might have recorded their best-ever finish in the Magners League and set new attendance records last season, but Ruaridh Jackson admitted yesterday that he could not wait to put it behind him and for the new season to begin.

The 22-year-old has endured a painful season, both physically and mentally, with shoulder and ankle injuries, and bouts of illness costing him precious opportunities to step-up his development as a professional and budding internationalist, and the revitalised form of Dan Parks ensuring that even when he was fit he didn't get a look-in.

His spirits were markedly different at Firhill yesterday, in keeping with Glasgow's announcement of a 'bright' new sponsor in the shape of PV Solar UK, a company that sought out the rugby team to market its new electricity-saving solar panels and has agreed a six-figure, two-year deal.

Intriguingly, its managing director, Robert Skillen, a football fan, revealed he only thought of the rugby team after seeing them on STV while digesting his company's target demographic, and realising the two were a good fit. Had they not been on TV he said he would probably not have thought of the tie-up, which only underlines the importance hammered home in recent weeks of television exposure to Scottish rugby.

Jackson is also seeking exposure after missing the end of the season with an ankle injury and the stand-off knows he has a great opportunity to get his career back on track with Dan Parks' move to Cardiff.

"There were a number of things that went wrong last year, from injuries to illness and Dan's form picking up," he said, "and even when I did get back fit I didn't quite hit the form of the season before because I was trying too much to force my way in."

Some supporters have been quick to write off the youngster, an all-too-typical Scots trait, and there is little doubt that Glasgow are going to have to play differently to fit Jackson's more ambitious style of play, which may take the Jackie Husband faithful some time to grasp.

"The one thing I've learned from Dan is not to get lost in criticism," he continued. "He's probably the expert in kicking off bad press and comments, but he's shown how to beat it.

"Nobody is ever the finished article; everybody is learning no matter what stage of your career you are at. In the first couple of seasons you're obviously learning a lot more and one of the things about my game is that I like to try things, try to be different and surprise opposition, and it's really only in games, and after-match analysis, that you learn when you can try things and when you have to be a bit more straightforward.

"But that's just a development, maturity thing. The aim for me now is to get the consistency of performance.

I've said I want to forget last season, but at the same time there are some positives in terms of learning and accepting things that I've gained from last season that could also help going forward. "I have a different kind of pressure now. Instead of trying to force my way in when you know the guy there, Dan, is the number one, there is now a spot open for the player that can take it.

"There are three of us going for it with Duncan Weir now in and keen to play every game, and Colin Gregor is an experienced and very talented player, who obviously wants to play every week too. We all do.

"But that's exciting. There are a few positions guys will be pushing for this season with players having left and that's good."

The young Aberdonian might have suffered from being earmarked for top honours early, something that is inevitable when a talented youngster emerges in a position that has been so under-resourced in Scottish rugby recently as stand-off.

However, he remains as talented as he was when he burst on to the scene with a superb display against Bath in the Heineken Cup over 18 months ago, only now has greater experience, skills, strength and fitness than was the case then. He just needs game-time, but coach Sean Lineen is keen to give Weir opportunities and knows Gregor still has much to offer, so Jackson will have to earn that with form.

There is a significant carrot waiting if he does, with the Scotland coaches eager to see him improve and be part of their Rugby World Cup squad in New Zealand just over a year from now. Mention of that challenge, however, merely evokes a wide smile from the youngster that hints at the growing maturity.

"One other thing I have learned recently is not to look too far ahead. All I am concerned with right now is training well and being in good shape for the start of the season, and then finding my form as quickly as I can to help Glasgow build on last season. The rest is for later."

With that, he makes his excuses and departs for an afternoon training session, the glow in his face at being almost back to full fitness as healthy as Glasgow's in securing a new sponsor. z