EXCESS STOCK
Jacob’s release could mean no Ireland role
ANDY FARRELL has released Jacob Stockdale from Ireland duty to play for Ulster at Ospreys tomorrow.
But in what is being seen as a bad sign for 27-year-old Stockdale – given the likely absence of Hugo Keenan for the Wales game – he will be on the left wing and not at full-back.
It also firms up the idea that either Ciaran Frawley or Jordan Larmour will fill the No.15 shirt for Ireland next Saturday at the Aviva with neither released from international camp.
Iain Henderson does leave that camp to lead Ulster while Nick Timoney similarly makes the journey from Dublin to play No.8.
“We’re really excited to get started for the second part of the season,” said Ulster assistant coach Dan Soper.
“Ospreys are the in-form Welsh team and they have an impressive record at home which will make for a difficult afternoon.”
A Scott Penny-skippered Leinster host Benetton this afternoon with full-back Henry Mcerlean making his debut.
Ross Byrne (below), back from injury, starts at out-half which may be a prelude to returning to Ireland camp next week.
Jamie Osborne, who was in the original Ireland World Cup training panel, plays for the first time since early December. Connacht look to have specifically targeted a win at Cardiff, possibly hoping to take advantage of the significant numbers away with the Wales squad.
“We’ve had some close battles with Cardiff down the years and historically they are one of the teams we’re competing with for a play-off spot, so we fully appreciate the importance of the game,” said Connacht coach Pete Wilkins.
LEINSTER v BENETTON (3pm): Leinster team – H Mcerlean; T O’brien, L Turner, J Osborne, R Russell; R Byrne, L Mcgrath; J Boyle, L Barron, T Clarkson, R Molony, J Jenkins, W Connors, S Penny (c), M Deegan.
CARDIFF v CONNACHT (5.15pm): Connacht team – T O’halloran; S Bolton, D Hawkshaw, C Forde, A Smith; JJ Hanrahan, C Blade (c); D Buckley, D Heffernan, J Aungier, N Murray, J Joyce, S Hurley-langton, C Oliver, C Prendergast.
OSPREYS v ULSTER (tomorrow 3pm): Ulster team – W Addison; M Lowry, J Hume, J Postlethwaite, J Stockdale; J Flannery, N Doak; A Warwick, J Andrew, M Moore, H Sheridan, I Henderson (c), D Mccann, Marcus Rea, N Timoney.