Jacob Stockdale injury puts a dampener on Ulster giddiness

The silver lining is that while he was sent for an MRI on Monday, the current injury is unrelated to the left ankle injury that kept him out for such a long spell of last year

AWAITING NEWS: Ulster's Jacob Stockdale takes a kick in the bad weather conditions. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady

From a fortnight full of optimism, things do not take long to turn in professional rugby.

At the weekly media briefing in Kingspan Stadium, the giddiness the week before of Leinster coming to town off the back of two attractive wins has given way to something a bit gloomier. One week ago, Jacob Stockdale lit up the room with his joy at playing rugby again.