Three players with a chance to make their mark for Ireland

Jacob Stockdale will make his first Six Nations start in five years against France on Thursday night

Jacob Stockdale was the Six Nations player of the tournament in 2018. PIc: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Thomas Clarkson

The Leinster tighthead prop was given a rough ride in Cardiff last year in his first Six Nations start but having also faced England, Scotland and France off the bench in the 2025 championship, the 25-year-old has gone from strength to strength. Having finished last season as a British & Irish Lions call-up, Clarkson now gets another opportunity to prove himself as a Six Nations starter in the absence of the injured Tadhg Furlong.