Bernard was born in Tullow, Co. Carlow. He attended Newbridge College and Dublin City University where he studied a degree in Business studies & Japan. Warren Gatland persuaded him to turn professional and he went onto represent Connacht during two spells with the club.
In between those two spells, Jackman spent a season with Sale Sharks helping them to win the European Challenge Cup during the 2001-2002 season.
In 2005, Jackson signed for Leinster. He was a prominent member of the team that won the 2007/08 Celtic League title and he also earned a recall into the Ireland senior squad. He returned from the professional game after a concussion injury in 2012.
Jackman was appointed director of rugby of Grenoble in 2016, having first worked with the club on a consultancy basis in 2011, before he joined permanently in 2012.
The Tullow man has previously coached Newbridge RFC, Coolmine RFC, Clontarf FC and St. Michael’s College.
Jackman earned 9 Ireland caps during a playing career that also saw him win a Heineken Cup and Celtic League with native province Leinster.
In June 2017, Dragons announced that Bernard Jackman will be their new head coach for the 2017/18 season, with Kingsley Jones vacating the role to take up a job with the Region's the new owners, the Welsh Rugby Union.
In December 2018, Jackman was sacked by Dragons after the club's difficult first term.
(LS December 11, 2018)
Career
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Sale Sharks Hooker |
1999 - 2001 |
 |
Connacht Rugby Hooker |
2002 - 2005 |
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Leinster Rugby Hooker |
2005 - 2010 |
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Grenoble Coach |
2016 - 2017 |
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Dragons RFC Coach |
2017 - 2018 |
