Jacob Stockdale refuses to be defined by Paris nightmare

'Yeah, I made a mistake at the weekend, these things happen but it’s about being able to push yourself on and you’re still being able to improve as an individual'

Ireland's Jacob Stockdale. Picture: INPHO/Dave Winter

Jacob Stockdale will have had more pleasurable experiences than facing an online dissection of why he endured such a torrid time against France last weekend, quite possibly including that Parisian performance itself.

It is to the 24-year-old’s great credit that he fronted up in such a public manner yesterday in the wake of possibly the toughest match of his Ireland career to do his sponsor’s bidding and promote their support of a charity’s Christmas fundraising drive.