Only five men – Brian O’Driscoll, Keith Earls, Tommy Bowe, Denis Hickie and Shane Horgan – have scored more tries for Ireland than Stockdale, who burst on to the scene during the 2018 Six Nations Grand Slam success. “He deserves it, his form has been great,” Farrell said of the opportunity for Stockdale, whose career has been impacted by knee and ankle issues. The first Emerging Ireland tour (in 2022) is when we first came across his ability, his athleticism, his point of difference and since then the improvement and maturity of his game (has improved significantly). “The difference between the first tour and the second tour (last month) was chalk and cheese. Speaking of 21-year-old Prendergast, Farrell said: “I’m confident from what we’ve seen.
