Jacob Stockdale relieved to make Ireland return after contemplating giving up

Ireland wing Jacob Stockdale contemplated giving up on international rugby before ending his five-year Guinness Six Nations exile during Thursday evening’s defeat to France.

Aged 21, Stockdale was crowned player of the championship in 2018 after scoring a then-tournament record seven tries in five outings.

But, hindered by injuries and dips in form, he has been a peripheral figure for much of the Andy Farrell era and was restricted to just six caps since his previous Six Nations outing in 2021.

The Ulster player was pleasantly surprised to be selected ahead of James Lowe in Paris before being left with mixed feelings following an emphatic 36-14 loss to Les Bleus.

“It’s awesome to play at this level again but probably the prevailing emotions are disappointment, a bit of frustration in there as well,” said Stockdale.

“I wasn’t entirely expecting it (selection), if I’m being honest. The main feeling was just relief.

“I’ve come into the last four Six Nations hoping to play a game and I haven’t, so to be able to pull that green jersey on again in the Six Nations was really special to me and something I’ve wanted to do for a number of years.

“You feel the frustration and sometimes you want to just go, ‘do you know what, it’s not worth it’ because of the constant disappointments.

“But the wee glint of hope that you might play international rugby again keeps drawing you back in – that and I’m fairly sure we’re contractually obliged to play for Ireland as well!”

Stockdale is the joint-sixth highest try scorer in Ireland’s history, albeit 16 of his 19 Test scores came between his 2017 debut and the start of the 2019 World Cup.

Asked if he had considered a move abroad, which would make him ineligible for international selection,