Recent form proves 2018 Jacob Stockdale is back and a Lions bolter

The man is on fire.

The Ulster winger starred for the 2016 Ireland U20s side who reached the final of the World Championship that summer, and quickly became a regular in Ulster's match-day squads in both the league and in Europe.

His combination of size, pace, and his signature chip-and-finish made Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt take notice, and the usually conservative selector took him on the 2017 Summer tour.

He scored on his debut against the USA, and followed that up with one against South Africa and two against Argentina in November.

Then came the 2018 Six Nations, and Stockdale's ascension into world-class status. As Ireland took home the Grand Slam, the 21-year-old took home the player of the tournament award, breaking the competition's try-scoring record with seven, and making it 11 tries in nine games for Ireland.

He proceeded to cap off one of the best individual years ever by an Irish player, with his iconic, game-winning score against the All Blacks in the Autumn Series.

From there, however, his career began a gradual, downward slide. He struggled to hit his previous heights, while an unsuccessful stint at fullback for Ireland followed, and competition from James Lowe, Andrew Conway, and Mack Hansen saw his international appearances become more sporadic.

The fact that he was nowhere near making the 2021 Lions tour, after looking like a shoo-in a couple of years previously, said it all.

With an injury keeping him out of the 2021/22 season, he didn't make an Ireland appearance in over two years.

There were flashes, glimmers of a return to top form, but perhaps exaggerated by the sheer desire of fans to see the mercurial winger at his best once more.

But real evidence of a potential return did present itself at the beginning of the current season, in a 42-21 URC loss away to the Bulls back in October.

Eight minutes in, Stockdale received a delicate cross-field kick from Aidan Morgan on his own 10-metre line. He duly swatted away Kurt-Lee Arendse, before gathering his own chip, and finishing in the corner despite the attention of a couple more Saffers.

For all of the quality that James Lowe and Mack Hansen possess, Stockdale is the only winger in the country, and maybe the only Irish one ever, who could have finished off that opportunity.

He suffered a cruel injury against Fiji in November, but has truly come into his own once again, both domestically and in Europe, since returning in February.

His comeback has seen him rack up 619 metres, beat 38 defenders, and make 16 clean breaks in nine matches.

In particular, his performances against Bordeaux in Ulster's brave Champions Cup loss, and last weekend's loss to the Sharks, were two of his best ever showings in white.

Going into their last-16 clash against the French juggernauts, all the hype was with the maestro, Damian Penaud, but it was Stockdale who reigned supreme in the back three.

He was everywhere that day, and finished with 179 metres made, proving that he can still kick it with the best in the world.

Against the Sharks, Ulster, and Stockdale in particular, utterly dominated the opening quarter, with the 29-year-old oozing confidence in his assist for Nathan Doak's try.

Due to his lack of international minutes, Stockdale has not featured in Lions conversations, and is still an outside bet.

James Lowe and Duhan van der Merwe are the outstanding pure left wingers available, while Mack Hansen and Tommy Freeman can play both sides.

However, with four spots up for grabs, an injury or two and it would not be out of the question for the Ulsterman to make the plane.