McCloskey: 'I feel like I'm just getting better'

According to his head coach Dan McFarland, had the chips fallen differently, Stuart McCloskey could very well have been locked into an Ireland jersey across the last five years.

Such is the grip that Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose have had on the centre spots with Ireland, the 'Bangor Bulldozer's' six caps - spread across the last six and a half years - seems like short change.

Maybe the nickname didn't help his cause, creating the notion that he was nothing more than a midfield battering ram, and somehow less of a footballer than those who were edging him to Irish selection.

Anybody who has watched him consistently over the last two years in particular would know the width of the 30-year-old's skillset, arguably the most important player in an Ulster backline that has grown enormously in recent seasons.

Whether or not McCloskey adds to his six caps in next month's Bank of Ireland Nations Series games remains to be seen, but with Bundee Aki suspended, it came as no surprise to see him included in the 37-man squad.

Speaking to the media prior to this week's squad announcement, he was asked if he'd be "shocked" to miss out, before politely saying his main feeling would be "disappointment".

"I've been shocked a few times over the years, so I don’t want to say too much," he wryly added.

The Stuart McCloskey fan club has always had healthy attendances, but in the last two years the membership has swelled. And he freely admits he's been aware of the hype around him down the years.

"I see a bit of it, there's been noise like that for eight years!

"I’m six or seven caps down the line, but there’s been noise, and there always is noise.

"I think what drives me is to play well for Ulster. I want to put in good performances for