Bernard Jackman
| Full name | Bernard Jackman | ||||||||
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| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||
| Weight | 17 st 11 lb (113 kg) | ||||||||
| School | Newbridge College | ||||||||
| University | Dublin City University | ||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||
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Bernard Jackman is a professional Irish rugby union hooker born in Coolkenno (also spelled Coolkenna or Coolkeno), Co. Carlow, Ireland. He started playing rugby while attending Newbridge College, Newbridge, Co. Kildare. He plays for Leinster. He was born on the 5th May 1976. He is 183cm (6 feet) tall and weighs 112kg. He is known for both his bravery and determination, indeed he is often compared to former Irish rugby captain Keith Wood for his bravery, ability and appearance (they are both bald).
Jackman's nickname is Jacko. His performances have excelled in the 07/08 season, winning the Leinster player of the month award for November. This is due to his excellent performance in both the Magner's League and the Heineken Cup notably against the Leicester Tigers.
Jackman toured South Africa with the Ireland squad in 1998 but was not capped. In 2005, he was capped twice in the Ireland summer tour of Japan. In 2007, he was a member of the Irish team on their tour of Argentina and received two more caps.
He has been included in Ireland's 2008 Six Nations squad. In the first game of the season against Italy on 2nd. February 2008, he was a substitute and came on in the 63rd. minute to replace Rory Best. In the second game against France on 9th. February, he lined out against France replacing Rory Best but was replaced by Best in the 59th. minute. He also started against Scotland on Saturday, 23rd. February and, again, was replaced by Best in the second half after suffering a cut to, or near, his left ear.
RTÉ's rugby anaylists Brent Pope, George Hook and Conor O'Shea stated that 'Jacko' should be included in the squad and have also mentioned that he possibly deserves to start in the number 2 shirt for Ireland.