He is the present.
Jacob Stockdale made his Ireland debut in May 2017 against USA. He got a try that day and impressed. His next outing came against Japan in the summer tour, and the Lisburn born winger acquitted himself well.
In the meantime, he’s been ripping up trees for Ulster in the Pro14, scoring five tries in just 7 appearances. The 21-year-old had been marking himself out as the future.
That earned him his break. He’s turned that break into a revolution.
The last two weeks, however, have shown two things. 1) He is the present. 2) He belongs in Test Rugby.
First up was South Africa, the Ulster man was thrown in at the deep-end. Like the always does, he swam.
He went over the whitewash for a try in a well-rounded performance. He was purring, we were excited.
Fast forward to Saturday, Ireland took on Argentina in the final game of their round of 2017 November Internationals, and Stockdale was doing his thing.
If he was simmering and threatening in his last few days in the Ireland shirt, against the South Americans, the tall, sturdy winger boiled over.
He wasn’t just the best player on the pitch. He was flawless. He Dived over the try-line twice, once in the first and once in the second.
Jacob Stockdale's grandfather placed a rugby ball in his cot soon after he was born. His first fan, but not his last!#IREvARG pic.twitter.com/NmIvVT87p1
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 25, 2017
The 6 ft 3 in number 11 cut through the Argentine defence with sumptuous ease on both occasions. This is where he belongs.
He fended off his tacklers as if they were under-12s for his second.
He was then named the man-of-the-match.
All in a day’s work for the Ulster man.
He’s only getting going.
https://twitter.com/eoinm89/status/934494992487387136
https://twitter.com/ddb379/status/934493284461883396
I'm calling it now
@JacobStockdale to start for @IrishRugby in the Six Nations + RWC2019 and also be a @lionsofficial test player in 2021.
He's on fire
— UlsterRugbySP 🏉 (@UlsterRugbySP) November 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/CianHiggins8/status/934491358068342784
https://twitter.com/PeterSomersett/status/934491296970039297
Bloody Nora! Jacob Stockdale! You super paced STAR!!! On the money! ☘️ #IREvARG #IrishRugby #ulsterrugby
— H, Rosie (The Bat) & Max the Dax! 🖤🐕🦺🐕🦺🖤🦇 (@jamiesonhelen) November 25, 2017
If we are having #ge17, I'm voting Jacob Stockdale for Taoiseach #COYBIG
— Kevin Kelly (@kevindublin) November 25, 2017
Think we're reaching the point where all Irish wingers not named Jacob Stockdale are now fighting over one position.
— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) November 25, 2017
