Ulster’s Stuart McCloskey determined to make case for Ireland role

Interprovincial derbies always have so much at stake, league points, bragging rights and players with international aspirations in the same position going head to head.
Ulster's Stuart McCloskey.Ulster's Stuart McCloskey.
Ulster's Stuart McCloskey.

And Sunday’s game between Ulster and Connacht at the Dublin’s Aviva Stadium could be decided by the midfield battle.

Ulster’s Stuart McCloskey - capped three times at international level - had forced his way into Andy Farrell’s training squad just before lockdown and with two rearranged Six Nations games and four Autumn internationals, the Bangor man is hoping he can rediscover his form from earlier in the season starting against Ireland’s incumbent Bundee Aki.

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The Connacht powerhouse has won 26 Ireland caps and makes his 100th appearance for the western province tomorrow.

“I’ve to go out there, know my role, know what job I have to do; the things I need to do specifically for our team, but it’s always good competition when we come together, we’ve had a good few battles over the years,” said McCloskey.

“Bundee is a good player, there’s certain things he does well, I think I do certain things pretty well as well, it’s a good clash and we’ll see who comes out on top.

“The lockdown probably wasn’t the best time in terms of getting a game for Ireland for me but you just have got to adapt and I used it to work on my fitness.”

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McCloskey is partnered in the Ulster midfield by James Hume.

With Robert Baloucoune injured, Jacob Stockdale moves to full back with Craig Gilroy coming onto the wing.

There is an all-Irish international front row with Jack McGrath, Rob Herring and Marty Moore.

New half back singing Alby Matthewson and Ian Madigan could make their Ulster debuts from the bench.

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Ulster team to play Connacht, Guinness PRO14 Round 14, Sunday 23 August at Aviva Stadium (kick-off 4.30pm, live on Premier Sports & TG4): (15-9) Jacob Stockdale, Craig Gilroy, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Louis Ludik, Billy Burns (Capt.), John Cooney; (1-8) Jack McGrath, Rob Herring, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor, Kieran Treadwell, Nick Timoney, Jordi Murphy, Marcell Coetzee.

Replacements: Adam McBurney, Eric O’Sullivan, Tom O’Toole, Sam Carter, Matthew Rea, Alby Mathewson, Ian Madigan, Michael Lowry.

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