Stockdale steps back out of the shadows after a year from hell

Winger looks for explosive start to URC season to kick-start a career that has been forced off course through injury

Eyeing a resurgence: Jacob Stockdale of Ulster during the Guinness PRO14 match between Ulster and Leinster at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

One of the forgotten men of Irish rugby will be hoping for an explosive start to the new URC season with Jacob Stockdale set for his first competitive match in a year when he starts on the wing against Connacht at Kingspan Stadium this Saturday evening (7.35pm).

The 26-year old, who has scored 19 tries in 35 Irish appearances, has endured a torrid 12 months, missing out on the Six Nations and the success in New Zealand with an ankle injury picked up on the opening day of the season against Glasgow Warriors.