Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
THE NATWEST SIX NATIONS
could get into the space and get it.
“I still thought that if it went over my head I could still have read it and changed my direction to get out and defend it.
“Like, you get a Test match and you’re 30-27 up and there’s two minutes left, and they’re throwing the ball about.
“Yeah, there’s a lot of pressure there. I thought Wales were really coming back into it but we managed to stem it.”
Stockdale’s intervention ensured Ireland are the only team that can win the Grand Slam although there’s an acceptance from players and management that defence still must improve.
Three tries were coughed up late against Italy and then two more against Wales. Scotland will fancy their chances of doing the same in Dublin.
On the positive side, a five-try haul against the Welsh is a good day’s work and with a platform of 80 per cent possession, it would’ve been less of a dramatic ending had the otherwise excellent Johnny Sexton brought his kicking boots.
As for Stockdale, his brace on Saturday brought his Test total to eight tries in just seven outings, a hugely impressive strike rate.
“It’s not a bad start to my international career,” he said. “I
think the ball just keeps popping up in the right areas. I’m getting the rewards for that.”
From his debut on the summer tour to this shot at a Grand Slam, it’s all come a lot earlier than the Ulsterman expected.
“My goal was to play 6 Nations by 23,” he admitted. “That got accelerated with Simon Zebo going to France and I’m pretty happy with how I’m taking my opportunities so far.
“It’s just how to survive at the top level. You learn a lot about yourself – how you train, how you work when you’re not on the rugby pitch. That’s the biggest thing.”