Jacob Stockdale back in Ireland squad for Six Nations games against Scotland and England

Andy Farrell has been handed a massive boost ahead of Ireland's Six Nations games against Scotland and England with Jacob Stockdale returning to Farrell's 36-man squad.

The Ulster flyer had missed the opening three Six Nations fixtures through a knee injury, but had returned to Pro14 action in recent weeks, featuring for the province against Ospreys and Leinster.

Stockdale's return represents a significant boost for Farrell, whose team struggled to create scoring opportunities in the defeats to Wales and France before thrashing Italy to pick up their only win of the current campaign to date.

Stockdale, 24, had scored 18 tries in 33 Test caps.

His return sees's Munster Shane Daly miss out. Daly made his Test debut against Georgia last November but hasn't featured in this year's Six Nations.

Farrell's only fresh injury concern surrounds Josh van der Flier, who will go through the graduated return to play protocols this week before the squad depart for Edinburgh on Friday.

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