1
Stockdale reveals who he voted for as Six Nations player of tournament
By Harry West
Jacob Stockdale's record-breaking feats have seen the Ireland winger named as the 2018 Six Nations Player of the Championship.
The 21-year-old, who only made his international debut in June, took the tournament by storm in scoring seven tries across the five matches - surpassing the previous record of six set by Chris Ashton, Will Greenwood and Shane Williams.
Stockdale's tally included a score against England on the final weekend as Ireland secured the Grand Slam with a 24-15 success at Twickenham.
That effort followed braces against Italy, Wales and Scotland and Stockdale was thrilled to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Brian O'Driscoll, Tommy Bowe and Paul O'Connell in claiming the individual prize.
"To win the Player of the Championship was a bit of a surprise, I wasn't expecting it," Stockdale said.
"I especially wasn't expecting it about eight weeks ago, if you told me it was going to happen. Not many guys get to do it, and to be able to do it in my first one is really exciting.
"I'm really grateful and thankful for everyone who voted for me - I voted for Keith Earls!
"I think the big standout moments for me were the end of the Wales game, to be able to score and intercept and finish off the game was a really great feeling.
"And then to be able to go over to Twickenham and get a win there - not a lot of teams have done that so I would say they are the two real standout moments for me.
"It's brilliant to be nominated to begin with so to actually have won it is something that I will definitely not forget."
Trending on RugbyPass
2
South Africa player ratings | 2024 Autumn Nations Series
3
Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu admits anger at Australian rugby
4
Fissler Confidential: Willie le Roux rumours ignite after Bok star spo
5
Latest Comments
Agree with Wilson B- at best. And that is down to skilled individual players who know how to play the game - not a cohesive squad who know their roles and game plan. For those who claim that takes time to develop, the process is to keep the game plan simple at first and add layers as the squad gels and settles in to the new systems. Lack of progress against the rush D, lack of penetration and innovation in the mid-field, basic skill errors and loose forwards coming second in most big games all still evident in game 14 of the season. Hard to see significant measureable progress.
Go to commentsKeep telling yourself that. The time for a fresh broom is at the beginning - not some "balanced, incremental" (i.e. status quo) transition. All teams establish the way forward at the beginning. This coaching group lacked ideas and courage and the players showed it on the pitch. Backs are only average. Forwards are unbalanced and show good set piece but no domination in traditional AB open play. Unfortunately, Foster - Mark 2. You may be happy with those performances and have some belief in some "cunning plan" but I don't see any evidence of it. Rassie is miles ahead and increasing the gap.
Go to comments