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Stockdale follows Ryan's lead and agrees IRFU deal
By Online Editors
Jacob Stockdale has become the latest Ireland player to be upgraded from a provincial to an IRFU central contract since World Cup quarter-final elimination.
Bundee Aki agreed to terms in November to be upgraded to a central deal while James Ryan followed suit on Wednesday of this week.
Now, Stockdale has shaken hands on terms that will keep him on the IRFU’s books until the end of the 2022/23 season.
The winger’s pathway to his three-year deal started with a 2017 Test debut against the USA before he went onto to star in the 2018 Six Nations Grand Slam. To date, he has scored 16 tries in 26 Test match appearances.
IRFU high performance director David Nucifora said: “Jacob has continued to grow as a player after bursting onto the scheme in his debut Six nations season.
“He has performed at a consistently high level for both Ireland and Ulster and has huge potential to develop further on the international stage.”
Stockdale added: “I’m delighted to have signed an IRFU contract. I’m involved with two ambitious squads and I know I will continue to develop as a player in both environments.
“Things have been going really well at Ulster and there are exciting things happening in the Ireland set-up and the IRFU high performance centre is world-class. I look forward to performing on the field for both Ulster and Ireland.”
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Latest Comments
What a shallow set of ratings. Kellaway 5.5? Because he did nothing flash? he held the team together during the red card, filling every gap that opened up. An 8.5 to 9.0 every day
Go to commentsToo early for him.
At 8, there's no way he could start ahead of Doris or Earl, and currently he's probably also a bit of a way behind Fagerson, Dempsey, Dombrandt, or Conan. At 7 his defence isn't good enough for international rugby.
He needs to spend the year bulking up, working on his defence, and winning the u20 world cup. Then this time next year he'll be able to seriously challenge for the England no.8 shirt.
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