FOLLOWING ANOTHER vintage performance from Jacob Stockdale, Ulster assistant coach Jimmy Duffy praised the winger’s current form, which resulted in a brace of tries in the thumping win over the Ospreys.
The 28-year-old Ireland international’s displays this season have surely secured him a place in Andy Farrell’s squad for the Autumn Test series with three tries in five Ulster appearances and this time, with four tests coming up, he ought to add to his caps total
“Jacob is playing out of his skin,” Duffy admitted in the wake of Friday night’s six-try 36-12 hammering of the weakened Ospreys at the Kingspan Stadium.
“He’s in top form, he’s in a great space and his finishing in the corner (in the second half) was superb,” he added.
Stockdale might have had a hat-trick, but for the TMO to intervene. Referee Andrea Piardi ruled it out for a forward pass after initially awarding the try and having the Ospreys kick off on halfway.
As for the currently sidelined hooking duo of Rob Herring and Tom Stewart, neither have played this season due to injuries, Duffy sounded more upbeat that both are closing in on returns.
“The boys (Herring and Stewart) are in a good space,” he said.
“They’re both returning, both running.
“Tom scrummed with us last week and Rob is not far off as well.
“Hopefully we’ll get those guys back on the paddock in the next couple of weeks,” he said though Ireland may be more interested should the pair be closer to fitness than was earlier thought.
22-year-old hooker James McCormick also claimed a brace of scores against the Ospreys — his first for the province — on what was only his fifth appearance and second start.
“He’s been great,” said Duffy. “I’ve worked with James with the (Ireland) 20s back in 21-22 and he’s been growing, this was his fifth cap, and he looked really good, he is maturing and he’s got good people around him so it’s encouraging to see him coming through.”
As for McCormick’s second try, when he took a tap penalty to himself and surged through some tired Ospreys tackling, Duffy said: “It didn’t surprise us, he’s a good carrier and he’s got a good attitude to learn.
“We’re really excited about where he can go in the next couple of years.”
Describing the victory over the Ospreys — Ulster’s second bonus point win at home after seeing off Connacht — as hugely important, Duffy said: “We spoke about it all week, we wanted to be really professional.”
Cormac Izuchukwu, fresh from Emerging Ireland, Michael Lowry, and try scorer Marcus Rea all had notable games on the night.
“In a large part, the guys are happy where we are. There were some big performances.”
Relax folks. He scored a brace of tries against a side missing 18 front liners. Was non existent against Glasgow. Scored one try in 2 games in SA but did very little else. Wasn’t great against Connacht either. Defence is poor also. Let’s see how he goes away to Cardiff and then home to Leinster before we decide to lose the run of ourselves altogether.
@Ray Ridge: obviously going to b Hansen lowe. If lowes injured Stockdale has a great chance
@Ray Ridge: give him credit, back in 2018 he was world class but injuries spoilt his form. Has been working hard these past few years to regain his best form
@Ray Ridge: More negativity from Ray the all knowing. Give it a rest will you?
@Ray Ridge: Goodnite debbie donwer
@Oliver Curley: Be some day before riddly ray gives anyone credit
@Shawn: Ray Rimjob
@Gary Galligan: Stockdale on the right wing? Very unlikely
@Shawn: I gave him credit in 2018. It’s now 2024. Move with the times baby.
@Patrick Kennedy: He is everywhere
@Ray Ridge: Spoofer trolling
@Shawn: a bit like yourself?
@Ray Ridge: Pretty right with everything there.
@brian o’leary: I dont troll are spoof are be 100 percent negitive and cringe
@Ray Ridge: quiet, steamer.
@Ray Ridge: yes and he is getting back there. How was it when you played ? I played 20 years, some years better than others for different reasons. How did you cope with it. Your comments/insights are always so negative, if you don’t enjoy sport with its ups and downs then why not just ignore it and perhaps focus on a gardening group
Think there is a lot of exaggeration here. Lowe is a better player and more suited to Ireland so hard to get ahead of him. Secondly, unfortunately Stockdale’s defensive issues remain so unless that changes overnight it’s hard to see him back being a regular starter for Ireland. Worth his place in the squad though sure.
@Carmine Lorenzo: considering both at their best, Stockdale has more out and out pace and better in air going forward. Lowe more powerful, lower center of gravity, quicker in short spaces. Attack at their best, it’s close. Both had big defensive issues in terms of positioning and even technically making tackles. In fairness to Lowe, he worked hard on his defensive game to the extent it’s a weakness that is rarely exposed. There is still big questions over stockdale in this area I would say. But as Lowe showed, it can be worked on, it’s not a question of talent, more concentration and hard work
@Michael Corkery: Don’t know if defensively is a weakness anymore, certainly not since Murphy has come in, think strategy under DMcF left wingers exposed, as each Ulster winger has been criticised defensively. Certainly with Kok coming in Stockdale has used his physically more and work rate, owned Hansen (albeit Hansen just returning from injury) V Connacht, so that Hansen had a very quiet game, there was a clear winner in that wing head to head.
@Kingshu: he is a defensive liability,hes had enough time to fix that part of his game,a pity cause going forward hes very good,id still have lowe miles ahead,and jimmy o brien
@Kingshu: it’s still a huge weakness , he falls off tackles and show no aggression
@Owen ODonoghue: you haven’t watched this season then? Hansen certainly isn’t saying he showed no aggression. Since Kok or Murphy came in, he is really using his physicality.
Stockdale is a massive liability defensively.
@Aidan Farrell: morning ray
@Shawn: Your awful cranky again this morning. You should have stayed in bed another while.
@Ray Ridge: You make me cranky baby
@Ray Ridge: How bad are west ham omg
If Stockdale made the defensive howlers that Lowe and Hansen make there’d be ructions here. Give him a break, he’s a cracking winger. And Farrell doesn’t favour defensive strengths over attack.
@Rab McCracken: thats just it though lowe doesnt make those mistakes anymore,he went away and worked hard on it,the guy pops up everywhere,hes a far better talent and if you took a poll,id say lowe would easily come out on top.until stockdale learns how to defend,he will not be starting any ireland games bar injury
Man of the match! Well done
Is it insane to think Mike Lowry might get a call up? He’s been playing so well, he looks sharp, he defends really well for a man his size and his footballing ability provides another creative player in the wide margins, which Farrell likes
@Farz S: …think it’s the old story of a good big one – over a very good-in this case – small one.
@Michael Murray: Yeah, I’m guessing that’s how it will work out; but it doesn’t hold him back that much. …. his ability in the air is actually better than most people. His defence is great, he always makes the right decision in the wide channels and stands up really well for a man his size; his hit on the Ospreys 6 last night was excellent.
Admittedly, he’s never going to physically dominate anyone and he probably won’t get a call up, but it wouldn’t be a total shock.
@Farz S: Great player, if he can stay on the pitch he could quickly become an excellent option, behind Keenan.
@Thesaltyurchin: Osborne and Haley Infront of mike I’m afraid
@Gary Galligan: I’d say Osborne is ahead after the SA tour, but not Haley. Haley is 30 and had one cap five years ago. Lowry has only one cap as well, but it was more recent and he played a blinder.
@Farz S: playing so well ? He barely started this season
@Rab McCracken: Osborne could actually put pressure on Keenan based on that performance?
@brian o’leary: nah
Following the retirement of Keith Earls, Stockdale was in the last 2 Irish squads (6N and SA). But I don’t think he played at all. All the alternative possibilities being talked about to back up Lowe at 11 are still just potential – Tommy O’Brien and Shayne Bolton getting injured before the EI tour lost their chances to impress. So I think Stockdale is a certainty for the November squad, will surely play in at least one game; and, with Lowe being 32, is the front runner to replace him in the short/medium term
@Kevin Ryan: Bolton looks a real find
@Gary Galligan: Bolton could be the bolter for sure. Very aggressive. Good tackler also. Still work in progress but keep an eye on this guy.
@Gary Galligan: Hopefully so, but he hasn’t got a big body work yet. Real shame he missed the EI tour. Anyways, he’s got a big opportunity tonight, and really should be expected to have a big game as Leinster’s wings are the weakest part of their selection (IMO)
@Gary Galligan: Why dont he want to play for SA?
@Shawn: why doesn’t van der merwe
@Gary Galligan: Dont know as well
I’d have Stockdale over Nash….and mebbe ‘flash in the pan??’ Hansen. He in fine form…. Hansen…no form except Stockdale same wing as Lowe
@Michael Murray: Michael, I normally agree with you, but not on this one. Nash and Hansen are more complete players with superior defence.
@Kenjo: …OK, get that. By no means a Stockdale fan, but form has to be recognised-not necessarily rewarded – and he is THE irish winger catching the eye on a regular basis.
@Michael Murray: can’t understand this. Hansen has been brilliant for Ireland. We are notably more dangerous when he plays. Nash has been very solid. Ceiling not as high as Hansen but very effective
@Michael Murray: Hansen is world class
@Michael Corkery:….I’m one of those voyeurs on/of this site so won’t get to see the finished article….buts it’s more about how the Irish Management Team actually manage form. If you are tearing up tree and not recognised at the top level….what’s the point in busting your butt. The is an opportunity to let the wider group of elite contending international players know that their efforts even though not in squad know they have a chance and in an opposite manner to let someone within the squad know that there us improvement expected. Stockdale is knocking on that door. …..also sends a good message to fans/ supporters.
Stockdale at his best is world class. You can add Lowe and Hansen to the list. And unfortunately there are no others in Irish rugby.
@Tom Reilly: lol dorris henshaw porter sheehan ryan joe ringrose kennan henshaw so so many
@Shawn: I’m talking about wingers obviously. Of course if Ireland is number 1 in the world then it stands to sense that it has many world class players.
@Shawn: Donnacha Ryan retired a long time ago
@Mistral: james ryan
@Tom Reilly: Were u ok
@Shawn: Not too bad, fairly fast and good in the air.
@Tom Reilly: You sure are
It’s now Ulstertainment! All because Richie Murphy is such an excellent coach! He knows how to bring out the best in players, young and seasoned! Stocks looks rejuvenated on the wing. Treders looking fierce in attack. Alan O’Connor was on the pitch the entire game and handled the ref superbly. Eric O’Sullivan’s slick pass to set up the try should have been the URC try of the season before it got taken off. The young players too many to list were absolutely brilliant! Ulster’s attack play reminds of how the All Blacks used to run with ball in hand from deep in their own half to score a try.
@Linda: Good lord. We should send Ulster to represent Ireland at the next World Cup.
@Ray Ridge: S U
@Linda: Agree
@Ray Ridge: might not get past the quarter finals if you did that Ray!
Stockdale is well down the pecking order , Lowe , Hanson , Nash, Osborne & JOB all ahead of him as a starting wing. AF may be tempted to include some bolsters instead of him too – Daly, Bolton, Russell even Zak Ward
Neither Lowe nor Hansen are World class, they’re not quick enough and they don’t strike fear into proper rugby teams
They look good in an all court game that is being dominated by the forwards but disappear when the pressure comes on.
Lowes defence and defensive reads are so bad that Ireland and Leinster put other players, Keenan and Gibson park on the wing when it’s getting dangerous and don’t bore me about Lowes left boot either
But it is his defence at the highest level that is worrying…
Stockdale is Ireland’s best winger when on form. No one has done what he has done on the international stage. He is now back on form