The young lad simply lives for scoring tries.
Jacob Stockdale equalled a long-standing Irish try-scoring record last season and, 24 minutes into his Ulster return, he is on the hunt again.
The 22-year-old had a delayed start to the season after suffering a hamstring tear in training. He was not expected back until mid October but Ulster fans were pleasantly surprised when he was included in the starting XV for the Guinness PRO14 game against Connacht.
Ulster needed a big response after last weekend’s shellacking at the ends of Munster but they fell 14-0 behind after conceding a penalty try and another to the flying Tiernan O’Halloran.
Ulster’s pack were getting marched about Kingspan Stadium in the scrum but they were causing issues for Connacht out the back.
In the space of 60 frantic seconds, Ulster were prevented a mauling try, Marcell Coetzee was stripped by Bundee Aki, Connacht coughed up the pill and Billy Burns showed he is a smart signing at outhalf.
Burns received the ball with Connacht’s defence heaving towards him. He glanced to the left wing and spotted Jacob Stockdale signalling for a cross-kick.
Credit: eir SportCaolin Blade, who replaced the injured Kieran Marmion after two minutes, could not cling on and Stockdale did the rest.
He pounced on the bouncing ball and got it under control – all the while keeping his feet in play – and dotted down with a tumbling flourish.
2017/18 saw Stockdale reach 20 tries for Ulster and Ireland, to equal the record set by Tommy Bowe when he was with Ospreys and Ireland. The young winger wasn’t back long when he set off in pursuit of a whole, new record.
