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.

Sam Prendergast 

Hardly a newcomer with 13 caps but for all the hype the Leinster fly-half is still to convince as Ireland’s first-choice number 10. With Harry Byrne in-form and getting as much time in the jersey at Leinster, and Jack Crowley also breathing down his neck in the Ireland camp, Prendergast has the ideal platform at Stade de France on Thursday night, with brother Cian at blindside flanker starting alongside for the first time, to rubber stamp his credentials.

Jacob Stockdale 

A first Six Nations start for the left wing since 2021 for the 29-year-old, who was the championship’s player of the tournament in 2018 with seven tries as Ireland won the Grand Slam. It has been a struggle since James Lowe qualified under residency rules and made the number 11 jersey his own but Stockdale is back to his best for Ulster and will hope to transfer his sparkling form onto the international stage.