Vastly experienced hooker BERNARD JACKMAN rediscovered some of his best form with Leinster in the 2006/07 season.

A confident lineout operator who relishes running at defenders, Jackman earned his first two Ireland caps as a replacement against Japan in 2005, having been capped previously at Under-19, Under-21, Colleges and 'A' levels.

The former Ireland 'A' skipper toured South Africa with the senior squad in 1998 but was not capped. Educated at Newbridge College and DCU, he has played for Lansdowne, Clontarf, County Carlow and Sale, with whom he won a European Shield medal, and lined out 73 times for Connacht.

Carlow-born, Jackman has been enhancing his coaching credentials in recent seasons, helping Newbridge RFC gain promotion in the Leinster League. Capped on the 2007 summer tour to Argentina, his blistering form for Leinster this season sees him recalled to the Ireland squad.

Jackman played in every game during the 2008 RBS 6 Nations