Bernard Jackman: Six Ireland caps for Stuart McCloskey is not fair value

Bernard Jackman says Stuart McCloskey's six Ireland caps "is not fair value" for his performances with Ulster after the centre began the season in impressive fashion.

McCloskey's sublime NBA-style offload put Luke Marshall over for the opening score in their one-sided win over Connacht while his powerful ball-carrying sucked in defenders and created space for team-mates.

The 30-year-old played for Ireland in their non-Test win over the Maori All Blacks in July but it is 14 months since he won the last of his six caps.

"If he finishes with six international caps, it's not fair value." Bernard Jackman and Darren Cave discuss Stuart McCloskey's lack of Ireland caps despite his consistent performances for Ulster on Against the Head. #RTERugby pic.twitter.com/4o69RUeWPK

Jackman told Against the Head: "He certainly plays big for Ulster. Because he has so few caps, maybe he doesn't feel the love or confidence of the Irish coaches, whether it's Joe Schmidt or Andy Farrell, so when he gets into camp it's hard to be himself.

"Judging him over six games is very little but it's probably a knock-on effect of the quality of competition - Chris Farrell, there are big wraps on Antoine Frisch.

"If he finishes with six international caps, it's not fair value."

Darren Cave, a former team-mate of McCloskey, echoed Jackman's comments but questioned whether he is vocal enough on the pitch.

"The skill for that score was spectacular, but he has been doing that for Ulster for years," said Cave.

"The one area I wonder - he was a lot younger when I played with him but he was a little bit quieter.

"Organisationally Bundee Aki, you can hear him through the ref mic. Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose are great organisers, bringing people in around them.

"I just