Jackson first came to note as a rugby player while representing Gloucester. In 1891 Jackson accepted an invitation to join the British Isles on their tour to South Africa, the first official tour by the team that later became the British Lions. It is unknown if Jackson joined the tour party late, was unwell or just not chosen to play, but he missed the first four matches of the tour, not playing until the team faced Griqualand West at Kimberley on Monday 20 July 1891. From there he played in four of the next six games though missing the First Test against South Africa. His last match of the tour was against a King William's Town &amp; District team, played on 6 August, despite there being a further 11 matches remaining.