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LAST UPDATE | 31 Aug 2022
IRELAND INTERNATIONAL JACOB Stockdale is set to make his return to action for Ulster after nearly a year out injured.
The 26-year-old has returned to full training with his province and is available for selection in Friday evening’s pre-season clash with Exeter Chiefs at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast [KO 7pm].
Stockdale last played in September 2021 and has been sidelined since due to an ankle injury.
The 35-times-capped Ireland wing/fullback is now finally set to get back onto the pitch ahead of the new 2022/23 season. Competition for places in Ireland’s back three is very strong at the moment but there’s no doubt that national team head coach Andy Farrell will be tracking Stockdale’s progress with interest.
Stockdale’s most recent Ireland cap came in August 2021 against Japan.
Meanwhile, Ulster have confirmed that captain Iain Henderson and centre James Hume remain sidelined due to the respective hand and groin injuries they suffered during Ireland’s tour to New Zealand earlier this summer.
Will Addison [lower leg], Jude Postlethwaite [knee], and Ben Moxham [shoulder] are also still rehabilitating their injuries, while David McCann, David Shanahan, and Andy Warwick are unavailable this week due to “low-grade injuries picked up in training.”
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Great news, wish you well young man
Crazy to think he is 26. Hopefully he hits the ground running.
I know he was going through a tough patch form-wise prior to the injuries, but a fit and firing Stockdale could be a hell of weapon to add to the Irish team.
Hopefully he puts together a run of games and puts himself in contention for the autumn internationals.
@Johnny 5: he has the strength to break tackles of Lowe but is a step up then speed wise. Like Lowe his biggest work on a year or so ago would have been defensive decision making and positioning. No reason he can’t make very good progress now in that department.
One things for sure Stockdale is as dangerous a winger as they come when he’s at his best
Hope he’s stays fit. That Ulster backline will be a force this year.
@Shane Obrien: They’ll be up against the ever impressive Leinster backline in Gibson-Park, Sexton, Henshaw, Ringrose, Ngatai, Lowe, Larmour, Keenan, O’Brien, Osborne, Frawley, O’Brien, O’Reilly, Russell, Harry & Eoss Byrne, Kearney, Turner. Some serious prospects coming through in both clubs.
@Harry O’Callaghan: 18 players in your backline. Sounds impressive.
@Trevor Johnston: should be able to create a few overlaps then ?
@Trevor Johnston: I know that’s why I named them haha ;)
Just in time to tour SA.
Never forget the tries he scored in our grand slam year, what a play, the one against England forever part of Irish top moments ever
@Thomas Byrne: And against New Zealand, which was even better!
The GOAT of Irish rugby is back!
@Scott Campbell: the GOAT? So O Driscoll doesn’t get a look in then?
Best of luck lad
Best of luck to him. Hopefully has a injury free season and a return of form.
It would be amazing to get this guy back fully fit and in the Ireland squad! What an amazing attacking option! Bit sus on “D” but unreal attacking threat!
@Michael Dowd: A bit?
Really hope he can put this injury behind him and rediscover the form that made him one of the first names on the team sheet for Ireland. Ankle injuries have ended the careers of a lot of rugby professionals. Probably something to do with carrying that bulk and all of the twisting and turning. But players of his size and ability don’t come along often for us in the backs. Hopefully he’ll recover 100%.
Great to this lad back and hopefully he gets back to full potential as soon as possible. Great with ball in hand and a real threat but – and no harm to the lad – I really don’t think he’s a full back. Great wing though
Ted: Eoin! Don’t eat the jam from the jar! Eoin: Leave me alone, I can have you killed.
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