Andy Farrell has named his Ireland squad for the 2025 Autumn Nations Series, with the 35-player group confirmed earlier this afternoon. A stand-out selection from the squad is the return of Ulster’s back-three star Jacob Stockdale, who rounds off the backs in wake of the injured Hugo Keenan.
[ad_connatix]
Stockdale made his Ireland Test debut all the way back in a 2017 Summer Series clash against the United States, with the Ulster flyer set to return to the land of stars and stripes, as Ireland get their Autumn Series underway with an unorthodox clash in the Windy City.
Andy Farrell’s men will battle the All Blacks in Chicago’s Soldier Field, before Ireland then return home for three back-to-back weekends at the Aviva Stadium. Ireland host Japan, Australia and South Africa for a stunning trilogy of Tests, with Stockdale hoping to stamp his authority upon the Autumn squad, and leave an in-print that remains until the 2026 Men’s Six Nations.
With 39 Test caps under his belt in the past eight years, Stockdale’s Ireland career has seen peaks and troughs throughout the past few seasons. The versatile wing-come-fullback has had sporadic Ireland runs in recent years, with his best years in green coming from 2018 to 2021. Stockdale missed the grade for the 2023 Rugby World Cup squad, and has struggled to regather the international momentum that once had him nailed down to Joe Schmidt’s starting XV.
Ulster Attack and Backs coach Mark Sexton was hopeful for Stockdale’s involvement. Speaking from Durban ahead of Ulster’s upcoming United Rugby Championship clash with the Sharks, Sexton said;
“I certainly hope he’s selected along with the rest of the lads.” Sexton said. “The more you can get that Irish squad, the better for everybody. I think Jacob is unbelievably talented. You’ve seen in the last two two nights, he’s been incredible. Is is like his size and his power.
“He’s got a good left footed kicking game. He’s good in the air, his ability to be players, to offload. I can’t speak highly enough for Jacob.”
Stockdale’s back three partner at Ulster Werner Kok, was also full of praise for the outside back. Kok spoke just a matter of minutes before Stockdale got the news of his upcoming trip ‘stateside’, as the former Sharks man is enjoying being Ulster’s resident ‘tour guide’ down in Durban.
“I think for firstly, as a person, he is such a good banter. He’s like a real light in the team, and he always brings a lot of happiness and a good chat. But just the way he plays, the same thing as Mark [Sexton], he just demands the excellence from us.
“He’s got a really good chat on defence. His communication is amazing. His work rate you saw last weekend on at 15 the way he played, because he can play any side of the pitch, and you can play him at fullback.
“The way he works, his skill set is phenomenal. Just to have someone like that on your team as a leader and as a hard worker, it just sparks brilliance, and it just brings so much energy to the team. If I can learn a lot from him, it will definitely be beneficial for me.”
EDITORS PICKS:
- Hollie Davidson to become first woman to referee an All Blacks Test
- 5 Bold Predictions For The Autumn Nations Series
- Tom de Glanville: Bath buoyed by Finn Russell’s return and debut of Pumas wing Santi Carreras
- Dan Carter’s Son Could Snub All Blacks for Shock Six Nations Switch
- “Instant respect” – Bath coach van Graan recalls meeting Leicester’s Geoff Parling when England battled Springboks
- Andy Farrell names Ireland squad for Autumn Nations Series