Fighting talk as Jackson aims to justify pivotal role

Ruaridh Jackson believes he is beginning to prove he has what it takes to become the midfield general Scottish rugby badly needs. Having looked very much a work in progress against Ireland last month, the 23-year-old has the talent to be an all-round play-maker but must show he can run a game. Rosetta Stone Spanish At Twickenham on Sunday, he demonstrated he is a quick learner. The Ireland game was more of a learning curve for me and I maybe put a bit of that into practice for the England game, he said. I just need to keep progressing. Every game I’m trying to pick up as much as possible in terms of game management because that’s obviously the most important thing as a 10. There remains a strong argument that if Andy Robinson, the head coach, is true to his word that trying to find a way to win every match is his priority, then he should be starting games with Dan Parks before introducing his former Glasgow Warriors understudy when things loosen up.Though more limited in his range of play, Parks can steer the team into the right areas to have a chance of winning matches. However, the decision to look to the future has been eased by his loss of form, while Jackson went some way towards justifying it last weekend. I had the backing of another start and the confidence of the guys around me, he said. I’m settling in with the surroundings and the Rosetta Stone Spanish V3 pace of the game and it definitely felt a bit more comfortable out there. While Jackson may have much to learn in management, he is showing signs of being aware of something Robinson himself said he had to learn after being sacked by England, namely the capacity to manage those above him.Jackson was masterful when referring to the generous words said about him by Jonny Wilkinson, England’s World Cup-winning stand-off expressing limited gratitude while flattering Gregor Townsend, Scotland’s attack coach. I didn’t have an Englishman pinned on the wall, but I certainly watched him and he was an incredible player, Jackson replied when asked if Wilkinson had been among his heroes.Asked who was, he continued: Toony (Townsend) was a great player to watch, one of the best sort of 10s. Stephen Larkham was another one. He looked incredibly comfortable on the ball and like he had acres of time which is remarkable considering the actual time you get. I loved the way he attacked a man and ran with the ball. For those who remember how close Larkham was to playing in Scotland a few years ago when signed by the consortium that owned Edinburgh just before it went out of business, the idea of what might have happened had Jackson had the chance to work with the great Wallaby fly-half is tantalising. What Larkham also possessed was mental and physical courage, something Jackson knows is required to play the way he is being asked to. The pace of the game and the time on the ball is a lot less, but the more and more I can force myself to do it the better. I just can’t shirk any responsibilities there and if I get hit after the ball so be it, I’ve just got to get up and keep doing it, he said. If I can stamp my style of game on to the team as much as possible that’s hopefully why I’ve been picked, and what I’ll be looking to do. The flatter I can play the more guys I can get into the game and Rosetta Stone Portuguese running into space the better. Hopefully we can keep developing that and start making some good breaks and good attacks, and that will stand us in good stead. As for continuing questions about his ability to kick the ball at the right time into the right place, he believes he is answering his critics. I think I proved at the weekend that I can hit these kicks, he said. It’s something I’ve been working hard on this season with Duncan Hodge and I’ll keep working on it, as well as on my strengths. If I can become as rounded a player as I can that will be the best thing. As long as I’ve got the backing of the coaches and they know what I can do, that’s the most important thing for me personally. Everyone’s open to their opinions and I’m not going to be insulted by what anyone ever thinks.