Ireland Rugby: Manager Dan McFarland says Andy Farrell will monitor Jacob Stockdale’s form

Ulster manager Dan McFarland believes Jacob Stockdale’s return to form means Andy Farrell will keep a close eye on the winger’s performance over the next 10 days as the Six Nations approaches.

Wingers Mack Hansen and Jimmy O’Brien will miss the tournament, but James Rowe could return this weekend.

Ulster will face Toulouse and Harlequins in upcoming Investec Champions Cup matches.

Ulster manager McFarland said: “Manager Andy Farrell will be watching these games closely.

“I’m not going to second-guess Andy Farrell and as Jacob is well aware, it’s very competitive.

“James Rowe is obviously a left-footed left winger. He’s the incumbent there and it’s up to Jacob to make sure he improves his form and allows him to be competitive there and he has done that. Ta”

“I know that Jacob will be working hard in the next few games to prove that he is the right man for the job on the biggest stage at club level.”

Stockdale played in the Six Nations Grand Slam in Ireland in 2018 and was named the tournament’s best player, scoring seven tries.

Injuries and a decline in form subsequently cost him his place in the Ireland squad, but after missing out on the recent World Cup, Stockdale’s career appears to be on an upward trajectory again, with six goals scored this season, including a touchdown. Scored a try. He won against Leinster in Dublin on New Year’s Day.

“He’s very focused on what he’s trying to accomplish,” McFarland added.

“We’ve seen his brilliant counter-attacks. His ability to beat people and put pressure on players defensively. He works very hard on the game locally and does a good job. He obviously has a good left foot.”

Stockdale will be hoping to help Ulster make it to their fourth successive win when they face five-time European champions Toulouse in Belfast on Saturday night.

The last European meetings between these teams were two years ago in the last 16, when Ulster won a sensational 26-20 away at Toulouse, but at home Antoine Dupont’s Undeterred by their brilliance, the French giants made it to the finals. Thanks to a hard-fought 30-23 victory, they advanced to the final eight.

“he [Dupont] “He more or less single-handedly ruined our night with some great displays of kicks and some breaks that led to tries,” McFarland recalled, adding that the star scrum-half was off the pitch. He said he was equally impressed by his actions.

“I was quite late leaving the stadium because I was talking to people I had to talk to and he was still signing autographs for young Ulster supporters.

“He could have packed his bags and gone right back to the team hotel, which would be great.”

And with Dupont and a number of other star players joining Toulouse’s line-up, the Ulster manager said he needed money to play against a team that won 47-19 away at Harlequins last month. ” was admitted.Currently in second place in the English Premiership standings

However, Ulster’s recent turnaround began on the same weekend with a 31-15 victory over Racing 92 at Kingspan Stadium.

Since then, the Ulster squad has been strengthened by the arrival of Sean Leffell for the first time since sustaining an ankle injury against Benetton last season.

The former Saracens flanker excelled in the United Rugby Championship, with wins over Connacht and Leinster during the festival period, and McFarland praised his recent contributions.

“It must have been very frustrating for him not to play, but he keeps his head down and is a hard worker.

“There is a lot that can be achieved even with an injury and he has worked hard at it.

“He came back and I wasn’t afraid at all to put him in as soon as he was ready and he was great in both games.

“There are players who don’t hold back when they step on the pitch, and that’s what it’s all about.

“They are exhausted and at the end you have to drag them off the pitch. They have given everything and he is one of those players.”