Paddy Jackson is in line to be selected by Ireland against Canada in Dublin on Saturday after the fly-half missed the historic victory against New Zealand in Chicago as a result of his arrest for alleged sexual offences becoming public.
Jackson and his Ulster team-mate Stuart Olding were arrested in June in connection with offences that had allegedly occurred in Belfast. Jackson withdrew from the Ireland squad who travelled to the United States, citing personal reasons. The pair deny the allegations.
“Paddy is dealing with things outside our environment which we will leave him to get on with,” said Simon Easterby, Ireland’s assistant coach. “He is focused on trying to perform if he is selected to face Canada.
“He led the team in South Africa in the summer under really difficult circumstances at times. He was assured and controlled and he is in good form.”
Jackson is set to play instead of Jonathan Sexton, who suffered cramp during the win over the All Blacks and is unlikely to be risked before the return encounter with New Zealand the following weekend.
The Lions flanker Sean O’Brien, who has not played for Ireland since suffering a hamstring injury last February, is also poised to return having missed the Chicago trip despite insisting to Joe Schmidt he was fully fit.
Ireland need to change their back row. The flanker Jordi Murphy has been ruled out for six months by knee ligament damage and O’Brien is impatient for his chance. “I wouldn’t say I completely agreed with the decision last week,” he said. “That’s the call that they made. I did need more game-time but you always back yourself if called on to do a good job.
“I would have been 100% if selected and pulling on the Ireland jersey would mean a lot this weekend after being away for so long. I was delighted for the lads in Chicago, while disappointed not to be involved. They put in a serious performance and you could only be happy for them. I am not thinking about playing against New Zealand next week, just putting in a good performance against Canada if selected and seeing where that leaves me.”
