Ulster have been eliminated from the Champions Cup after a 36-8 loss to Toulouse, a game in which they never really stood a chance.
The French side would dominate right from kick-off, scoring a try inside the first three minutes. It was excellent work from Cheslin Kolbe, although Jacob Stockdale perhaps could have done better.
Scintillating start from Toulouse! 🔥
Cheslin Kolbe with the try.#TOUvULS #HeinekenChampionsCup #VMTVRugby pic.twitter.com/0xbJWFmphq— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 20, 2020
That was also the case for the South African's second try of the game.
What a sidestep from Cheslin Kolbe 🔥
Should Stockdale have done better? #TOUvULSpic.twitter.com/twOvDiFTri— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) September 20, 2020
Overall, Stockdale certainly didn't have the impact he would have hoped for. While Ulster were outplayed, they would have been depending on the Ireland winger to turn up on the big occasion. He didn't do that.
Appearing on Virgin Media after the game, Shane Jennings said that serious questioned needed to be asked of Stockdale after his performance this afternoon.
"Where was Stockdale? He's their Irish international. The best player in the back-line.
"He was average at best!"
Shane Jennings on Jacob Stockdale's performance in Toulouse.#TOUvULS #HeinekenChampionsCup #VMTVRugby pic.twitter.com/mf7x07VC2E— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 20, 2020
Where was Stockdale? He's their Irish international, he's their best players in the backline.
You want Stockdale and McCloskey to step up, obviously there was the disruption (Burns going off). Even more so at that stage you want a fella like that, they're going to turn to their leader, their best player.
He was average at best. Sloppy ball handling, shifting on passes to people in worse positions than he was. That would be what was really irking on me if I was a coach going back into that dressing room...
Stockdale was poor. If you have your best player performing like that you're not going to get anywhere. I think he needs to have a good hard look at himself.
Alan Quinlan shared a similar opinion, believing that a player of Stockdale's talents should be having a far bigger influence on the game.
He's an incredible talent, but just doesn't show the hard stuff: the aggression, the energy, the real enthusiasm when he gets the ball and there's people in front of him.
He's fantastic in open space and in one-on-ones, he looks like a superstar. But then at times he's shifting on one pass close to the touchline when Joe Tekori was in front of him, you've got to take that on, show acceleration and be aggressive.
You look at James Lowe, enthusiasm coming in off the wing, popping in behind Sexton and coming in off rucks. You'd love to see Stockdale have more involvement and not just wait for the final pass because he's an excellent finisher.
He has that ability and talent to do that. These are the games you've got to do that when you're up against it, because he's an experience international now.
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