TASTY IRISH STU

It was seven years between McCloskey's first & second Six Nations outings but Ulster acé is giving Farrell food for thought with his impressive displays

- MICHAEL SCULLY

STUART MCCLOSKEY scratched a seven-year itch in Cardiff on Saturday, one that at times he never thought would be possible.

The Ulsterman made his Six Nations debut for Ireland in late February 2016 as a 23-year-old, starting at inside centre alongside Robbie Henshaw at Twickenham.

He would have believed that, despite a difficult day for Ireland and a 22-10 loss, it was going to be the first of plenty of appearances in the championship.

However, McCloskey had to wait until the start of the 2023 Six Nations for his second one.

Henshaw's injury issues and Bundee Aki's suspension gave the big midfielder the chance to impress Andy Farrell in November and he took it, starting all three fixtures against South Africa, Fiji and Australia. "There were definitely times in those seven years when I didn't think I would ever get another game," McCloskey admitted.