It’s marvellous to see Jacob Stockdale playing so well but, you know, he’s always had this ability, and it’s never left him.
Yes, there was a dip in form – and bad injury issues – but of late, he is just doing what he does best, whereas I think with the previous regime, he was playing within his shell.
He’s now being Jacob again, expressing himself and playing with a smile on his face, and that is just superb.
I thought he was fabulous against the Ospreys, and I think it’s only going to get better for Jacob if he continues like this and stays clear of injury.
His second try in the left-hand corner, what a finish. What a pass from James Humphreys – who had a great impact off the bench – and Mike Lowry ran such a line, then he got it away to Jacob.
As for Ireland? You can’t take anything for granted here, so we’ll see how he goes as it would be quite a shock if Jacob’s not in the Irish squad for the four November Tests.
Looking ahead for Ulster, I would be confident that they could get another win at Cardiff if they play to their potential.
That would be the ideal way to go into the break, with that nice feeling that they have signed off with a run of wins and also won all the home games – something really good to take towards Leinster at home at the end of November.
Richie Murphy is never going to get too far ahead of himself, no good coach ever would, but he was pretty happy on Friday night and, let’s face it, Ulster had a bonus-point try wrapped up in the first-half and got six tries overall.
The main thing for me was the way they scored them. Yes, there were maul tries and a penalty try, but with Jacob’s two, and if you look at the build-up to his disallowed one, the passing was superb and so good to see, though it was unfortunate that Eric O’Sullivan’s one-handed offload went forward.
The freedom they are showing at times in the way they play really impressed me, and I think that’s all down to Richie.
They’re being brave, and they seem to have that bit more to their arsenal than kicking to the corner and mauling.
Mind you, they always did have more than that anyway, and I should know having been there for so long.
It’s a mental thing not to show ambition, and Richie, technically a great coach, has brought the right culture, and it’s how he makes the players feel that’s important here, and that transcends onto the pitch.
The change from the previous regime to this one was never going to be an overnight alteration, but Friday against the Ospreys was a great example, I think, of that whole thing from before being left behind.
I know some might think that the Ospreys were never up for that game and, yes, they were weakened, but they still had quality players in the side like Justin Tipuric, Sam Parry and Morgan Morris.
They made basic errors, and that was very much their undoing along with the quality Ulster brought to the game.
I have to say that I thought Cormac Izuchukwu was superb on Friday night, with Jacob just pipping him as Player of the Match.
Marcus Rea played really well, too, and he needed to with there being so many quality back-row players in Ulster.
You’ve got Dave McCann, Izuchukwu, Harry Sheridan can play there, and Nick Timoney, Sean Reffell and James McNabney all spring to mind, so it’s a very tough ask to be selected.
For Marcus to get the start, it’s one of those ones where he really had to take the opportunity, and I thought he did – fair play to him.
Nathan Doak was brilliant off the bench, and it’s difficult when John Cooney is playing well, and then there is that situation of Doak slotting in at 10. He will do it, but he really is a nine, I think.
Right now, Ulster are in a good place, and that’s terrific to see.
Craig Gilroy is part of the Premier Sports team bringing every Ulster game live from the BKT United Rugby Championship throughout the season. Tune in for Ulster’s away game against Cardiff on Saturday, October 26th live on Premier Sports from 7.15pm.
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