London Welsh: “We’ll stick to our principles”

Ed Jackson believes the culture at London Welsh this season will not change despite the arrival of a host of foreign imports.
As revealed in The Rugby Paper last week, Lyn Jones has bolstered his pack with some Eastern European beef in the form of Paulica Ion and Kirill Kulemin, as well New Zealand-born back-rower Daniel Browne.
But Jackson is certain the spirit within the team has not been affected by high-profile signings, and says he and the rest of the squad have welcomed the additions.
Explosive No.8 Jackson, 23, notched 11 tries in last season’s league campaign and was voted the fans’ favourite at Old Deer Park following his 2011 switch from Doncaster Knights.
He said: “We didn’t have much chance to change the whole squad, although I’m not saying we would have done, but it means we’ve kept a good core of players.
“None of the captains have changed and the guys have fitted in so the atmosphere is the same as we left it last season.
“Lyn said at the start that it would be a two-year plan. He has a certain way he likes his sides to play and he knew he wouldn’t be able to mould the team and find the pattern he wanted in under a year.
“We were halfway through that development when we hit the final so we aren’t going to change the way we play because we are playing Premiership rugby.”
The 6ft 4in Jackson came to prominence when he led England U18s to Four Nations glory but soon afterwards suffered severe shoulder problems and spent a year on the sidelines rehabbing – which cost him a spot at the inaugural 2008 Junior World Cup.
It also effectively put an end to his Bath career after just one appearance in the LV= Cup against Leicester.
After a year at Doncaster, Jackson joined Welsh and now believes it is the best thing that could have happened for his rugby development.
He said: “It’s always been my aspiration to play in the Premiership. I had a big set-back with my shoulders which knocked me off that fast-track through the age groups.
“I dislocated my left shoulder, then re-dislocated it first game back needing open surgery – and then did my right shoulder.
“Touch wood, I’ve not had any problems for four years now. It may be a blessing in disguise that I’ve taken the hard route – and I’ve enjoyed it every step of the way.”
As half of the current England squad will testify, the Championship is the perfect breeding ground for hard-nosed forwards. It may not have the same speed as the top-flight, but it certainly has the aggression.
“The Championship was great for me,” Jackson added. “I didn’t realise it at the time but moving down is probably the best thing that could have happened for me.
“I was annoyed at the time, but in terms of developing my own game I ended up playing for 80 minutes every week.
“I think back now and realise I couldn’t have been in a better position.
“If I’d stayed at an academy, playing four or five games a season plus a bit of
A-League and LV=Cup, I definitely wouldn’t be the player I am today, having played two full seasons in the Championship.
“As a No.8 you don’t really hit your physical peak until your mid to late 20s – it’s different to the wingers, for instance, as we’re always trying to add size.
“But I’m finally at the weight where I want to be, just over 18st, to carry me through the rest of my career. I still need to change my body composition a bit but I don’t want to be heavier because I’ll lose my main attributes.”
One player he is delighted to see arrive is Browne, 33, with whom he played in the Bath set-up four years ago. Jackson said: “I picked up a lot from Brownie at the Rec and he’s a good mate.
“There was competition here in the back-row last year, but it’s good to have a more senior player who I can learn from. It will be tough, but I’m looking forward to the competition for the shirt.
“There’s one thing doing it in the Championship – and another completely doing it when you step up to a lot higher standard of rugby.
“Everyone has hopes and dreams but I’m not thinking too far ahead. People say the only difference between the Premiership and the Championship is the pace of the rugby, definitely not the physicality – the old, experienced nasty boys get away with a lot more in the Championship.”
Jackson is also relishing the opportunity of facing Leicester again this season.
He said: “It was a real eye opener when I was 18. It was my first serious, senior game and I definitely go into that game this time around with a lot more confidence.”
MATTHEW EMERY