Jacob Stockdale: Ulster winger to return to Ireland training after injury

Ulster winger Jacob Stockdale will return to training with Ireland this week after injuring his ankle four weeks ago.

Stockdale was injured in Ulster’s defeat to Leinster on September 30, but it was unrelated to the ankle problem that kept him out for most of last season.

“I’m glad to see him [Stockdale] back to the room,” Farrell said.

“Obviously he had a really tough time last year but he’s shown resilience and I’ve been really impressed with the way he’s started the season. I thought he really showed what he was trying to achieve and what he was striving for.

“Unfortunately he got injured again in the last couple of weeks but he came back very determined, he looked strong in contact and you could see that hunger in him.”

Stockdale has scored 19 points at international level in 35 caps for Ireland, but injury has kept him out of action since his last game against Japan 15 months ago.

Ted Beirne, Hugo Keenan, Calvin Nash and Jamieson Gibson-Park will also return to training after injury.

An Irish Rugby statement added that the Ulster contingent, made up of Robert Balookun, James Hume, Rob Herring, Michael Lowry, Stuart McCloskey, Tom O’Toole, Nick Timani and Kieran Treadwell, would be “managed in the coming days” after recent gastrointestinal problems experienced by the Irish province in South Africa, which forced the postponement of last weekend’s game against the Sharks.

Munster fly-half Joey Carbery has been cleared to “train fully this week” after recovering from a shoulder injury, while Irish Rugby said Ciaran Frawley would be “treated for a week” with a similar condition.

Tadhg Furlong (ankle) and Peter O’Mahony (neck) are expected to train later this week as they complete their rehabilitation programmes, while Craig Casey (groin) and Josh van der Flier (ankle) continue their treatment.

Farrell, who said none of the core squad would be released to their provinces this week, welcomed the availability of Munster fly-half Carbery.

“Just so we can come back and run, train as a team, have him bark orders,” he said of the 26-year-old.

“That’s what a general always does to have peace of mind to recover and work, it’s very reassuring to everyone else.”

Ireland begin their Nations series against world champions South Africa on November 5 before tests against Fiji and Australia in the following fortnight.

The players named in the Ireland squad to play the All Blacks XV on November 4 will remain in their provinces this week to play in round seven of the Rugby Union Championship.