Six Nations: Weir backs Jackson for Scotland place

Scotland stand-off Duncan Weir says he remains best of friends with team-mate Ruaridh Jackson – despite taking his jersey for tomorrow’s RBS Six Nations opener.

Duncan Weir: Starting place. Picture: SNS

Weir has been chosen to start at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin as Scott Johnson’s side take on Ireland looking to win their opening match for the first time since 2006. His Glasgow colleague Jackson, however, has not even been selected in the match-day 23 despite kicking off two of the country’s three November Tests. The 25-year-old was culpable for two of the four tries conceded in the 29-0 drubbing by South Africa at Murrayfield but Weir has backed his friend to put up a fight for the No 10 jersey ahead of England’s visit to Edinburgh next Saturday.

Weir, now fully recovered from the broken leg which saw him miss the summer tour to South Africa, said: “It was a bit of a surprise to be picked ahead of Jacko. Even though I felt like I had put in some great performances for Glasgow lately and given the side a bit of spark, I didn’t expect to get the nod to start the game on Sunday.

“Jacko is a good friend and we talk a lot about rugby, about our attacking shape and how we can punish teams. I know he will be disappointed but he’s still been training well despite getting that bad news earlier this week, so I know he will be doing whatever he can to be back in the mix for the England match.”

It was against Ireland last season that Weir cemented his reputation at international level after two brief substitute appearances. The 22-year-old replaced Jackson following a first half in which the Irish had dominated with nearly 80 per cent of both the possession and territory and helped see the Murrayfield hosts to an unlikely 12-8 win.