Learning from one of the very best.
A grimace briefly crossed the face of Jacob Stockdale, during the week, when he was asked about squandering a try-scoring opportunity at the Aviva Stadium on the last occasion he faced Leinster there.
The Ulster star looked set to add a Champions Cup belter to his already lengthy list of tries, in March 2019, when he shelled the ball over the tryline. It was a crucial error in a tight game that Leinster ultimately shaded.
Stockdale did not make the same mistake when afforded another try-scoring opportunity against Connacht, last weekend, but he ended up on the losing side again. His composed performance at fullback was one of the few highlights for Ulster on a day that saw their head coach Dan McFarland go through them for a short-cut after their 26-20 defeat.
The 24-year-old is once again named at No.15, for Saturday’s Guinness PRO14 clash with Leinster, and he cites the versatility of Ulster and Ireland teammate Will Addison as something he wishes to emulate.
“I like being involved in the game as much as I can and sometimes I feel like I maybe don’t get as much action on the wing as I would like. There are a number of differences between the positions but most back three players should, to be honest, be able to to switch between them.
“I’m a strong believer in versatility creates better player because you understand what they players around you want whenever you’re playing in that position. You look at someone like Will Addison who can drop into 13, drop into full-back and jumping onto the wing, like he played plenty of times on the wing for Sale. He’s a really well-rounded individual that understands the game really well.”
McFarland has put Matt Faddes and Rob Lyttle into the Ulster back three against a Leinster side that is much-changed from the side that recorded their 20th straight win of the season against Munster, last weekend.
Rob Kearney and Jacob Stockdale take to the pitch before a game against France in Paris. (Credit: Sportsfile)Stockdale will face off against Ireland teammate Rob Kearney, who got the nod from Leo Cullen to start as Leinster’s fullback in what are his final months with the province. The Lisburn native says he owes a lot to Kearney for his development as a Test-level player.
“The experience I’ve gained on the wing has definitely helped me to play at full-back because I know what my wingers want from me, if that makes sense. A large part of that was definitely playing with Kearns, playing for Ireland and just realising what he did and the communication he gave me. It made my life easier and a lot more comfortable.”
Stockdale says he has not had any conversations about playing fullback for Ireland, once the next Test window comes around, but it is something he is keen to take on if required to do so. Having former Ulster and Ireland fullback Jared Payne as backs coach is a massive plus, too, and Stockdale says they have daily conversations about ways to improve his all-round game and reading of attacking and defensive scenarios.
Leinster are already guaranteed a home semi-final – against Munster or Scarlets – while Ulster will travel to Scotland, next weekend, to take on Edinburgh. This could be the last time Stockdale and Kearney share the pitch together, but it could also be a taster for bigger meetings [Guinness PRO14 and Champions Cup] down the line.
Ulster Rugby and their main sponsor, Kingspan, are encouraging fans to #StandUpTogether, as they unveiled a special edition jersey to be worn for this Saturday’s Guinness PRO14 fixture with Leinster
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