Andy Farrell believes Jacob Stockdale can light up Ireland’s attack after shifting the Ulster ace from wing to full-back for Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations game with Italy.
Stockdale was the Championship’s top try-scorer in 2018, scoring seven from the left wing to power Ireland to the Grand Slam, but he’s been given a vote of confidence at full-back by the Ireland head coach.
Farrell had relied on Leinster’s Jordan Larmour for the first three rounds but he’s out for the rest of the year with a dislocated shoulder, while long-term stalwart Rob Kearney has retired from international rugby.
Ulster have increasingly used Stockdale at full-back and Farrell believes the quick-footed 24-year-old can make an immediate impact.
“We’ve had quite a few sessions under our belt now so we have looked at different combinations and we’ve been very impressed with Jacob. He is learning the trade pretty quickly in the back field,” he said.
“He is learning to adapt and get stronger there. We think he has all the attributes to push forward in that position and there will be elements of his game we need to keep pushing forward.
“What you don’t see on the wing with Jacob, from time to time, is his skill level. He has got great vision, he is able to see things and he has great hands as well.
“He hits a brilliant line and you don’t always get to do that from the wing. Hopefully we can get him involved as much as we can and also it’s a great option to have that left boot at the back.”
Farrell could have opted for Hugo Keenan at full-back after his early-season promise for Leinster but instead the 24-year-old will make his Test debut in Stockdale’s regular spot on the wing.
Keenan is one of two debutantes, with openside flanker Will Connors also set for his international bow, while prop Ed Byrne and scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park could also make their debuts from the bench.
“Obviously we’ve had a few days together to see how they would fit into the system, etc., and the pressures of international rugby. Being able to adapt to new calls and new team-mates and everything else,” Farrell added.
“Will has obviously been involved with us before and he has been chomping at the bit for a while. He had a seven-month break to think about that and he has come back in pretty good form so we are excited about seeing him.
“Hugo has had a great start after lockdown. He is an exciting player that can play in a variety of ways so they are both ready to go.”
