Has there ever been a better start to a career in Rugby’s Greatest Championship than that made by Ireland winger Jacob Stockdale?
On Saturday afternoon the 21-year-old scored twice to equal the record for the most number of tries in a single Championship season, he now has six.
And his scores could hardly have been more important in helping Ireland to a bonus-point 28-8 victory over Scotland.
His first came midway through the first half and with the two sides locked in a battle for early dominance.
In a replication of his match-winning score at the death against Wales a fortnight ago, the Ulster winger anticipated a long pass from Scotland centre Peter Horne, gambled on the interception and raced away to the line.
His second try came just before the break and displayed a classic winger’s finish with a step inside off his wing.
That second try means Stockdale is now level on six tries with three men who have previously achieved the feat – England’s Will Greenwood got six in 2001, Wales’ Shane Williams did the same in 2008 and Chris Ashton got six in 2011.
Incredibly, Stockdale has now scored 10 tries in his first eight games for his country.
It’s also worth noting that in the 137-year history of the Championship only England’s Cyril Lowe (in 1914) and now Stockdale have scored multiple tries in three successive games.
Ireland’s last game of the 2018 NatWest 6 Nations is against England at Twickenham next weekend, giving him one more go at breaking the record for tries scored in a single campaign.
