JacobStockdale

Biography

Jacob first started his rugby career at Ballynahinch RFC where he played in the mini rugby section. He continued to play at Wallace High where stand out performances for the Lisburn school brought Jacob to the attention of Ulster Schools, winning the Ulster School Player of the year Award. Age grade representation at Irish Schools followed as did his selection into the Ulster Rugby Academy in 2014.

At the age of 18 Jacob played his first game for the senior Ulster squad at the start of the 2014-2015 the season in a friendly against Leinster at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Ulster thrashed their opposition and signalled the start of a burgeoning career for young Stockdale.

Ireland U20 selection followed and Jacob featured in 2015 U20 6 Nations Championship and the Junior World Championship in Italy that followed during the summer.

Jacob won his first senior Ulster cap on 30th January 2016 against Benetton Rugby in Treviso where he helped secure a 12-32 victory for the Province.

The following season Jacob became a stand out player in the 2016 U20 6 Nations Championship and the Junior World Championship in Manchester where he played a major part in helping the Irish team make the final, and although Ireland lost to a strong England team Jacob scored the try of the game illustrating his power and pace and real determination to score a tries.

The 2016-2017 season brought further success for the young wing who was scoring tries at will and he quickly became a crowd favourite at Kingspan Stadium. After cementing his place in the starting 23 Jacob made his first European cup start against Clermont in Belfast where his helped Ulster to 38-19 win.

His exploits for Ulster did not go unnoticed and Jacob won the Ulster Rugby Young Player Of the Year Award and was selected by Joe Schmidt for Ireland’s summer tour of the USA and Japan. On the 10th June 2017 Jacob won his first cap against the USA in New York scoring a try on their way to a 19-55 victory.

The 2017-2018 season has continued in a similar fashion with Jacob scoring countless tries for club and country as he develops into one of the most exciting young wings in the sport.

On the international front Jacob continued to flourish and he played a central part in Ireland’s third 6 Nations Grand Slam success. During the campaign he scored a record 7 tries and won the prestigious NatWest 6 Nations Player of The Championship Award, a remarkable achievement at the tender age of 21.

Off the field Jacob is an extremely likeable character. At 6’4″ he creates a real presence and has an easy relaxed attitude. Jacob has a friendly outgoing nature and is the not afraid of a challenge. He is Intelligent, articulate and enjoys a bit of fun, loves life and has a mischievous sense of humour.

Jacob’s close family network keep him well grounded and he fully appreciates their support and help they bring supporting his life/work balance while developing his rugby career.

He has a keen interest in music and plays the guitar and like most athletes he loves all competitive sport and even plays a bit of golf for relaxation.

There can be no doubt that Jacob Stockdale is a major rising star in world rugby…. watch this space.