Cian Tracey’s Breakdown: Stuart McCloskey enjoying rise from international wildnerness to Ireland's MVP
Ulster veteran takes centre stage 10 years after Twickenham introduction
Stuart McCloskey of Ireland is tackled by Manuel Zuliani of Italy during the Six Nations match at the Aviva Stadium. Photo: Brendan Moran/SportsfileThis weekend marks the ten-year anniversary of Stuart McCloskey’s first cap. That he will return to Twickenham, where it all began, as Ireland’s most valuable player is a full circle moment for a man who has had to patiently bide his time.It took McCloskey 21 months after that 2016 round three Six Nations defeat to England to play for Ireland again. At the time, there was a sense that then head coach Joe Schmidt felt there was a looseness to McCloskey’s play, whereas now, rather ironically, his superb offloading game is encouraged as a point of difference under Andy Farrell.
