National - Ulster Rugby Forum

Stuart McCloskey makes four-man shortlist for Six Nations Player of the Championship

DS69 — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 11:50:04 +0000

Ireland’s Stuart McCloskey, 33, earns a deserved nomination following a series of powerful and influential displays in midfield, providing leadership and impact at key moments throughout the Championship, that helped Ireland claim this year's Triple Crown, and put them within touching distance of this year's title....

Try Assist: 6 - Ranked joint 1st

Defenders beaten: 20 - Joint 2nd

Carries: 74 - Ranked 3rd

Dominant contacts: 18 - Ranked 1st (31% dominant)

Tackle attempts: 79 - Ranked 8th (Highest back)

Tackles completed: 62 - 10th (Highest back)

Turnovers won: 8 - Joint 1st (Highest back)

Minutes played: 400 - Ranked joint 1st

Metres carried: 242 - Ranked 11th

Successful offloads: 8 - Ranked 5th

Oval Insights ranking: 8.6/10 - Ranked first

The winner will be determined by a public vote, here, which closes on Thursday, March 26th, at 9am.

Bielle-Biarrey will most likely get it, but I would love for Stu to get it

Ireland Vs Scotland Saturday (KO: 14:10)

DS69 — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 15:10:23 +0000

We know Cormac Izuchukwu, Jude Postlethwaite, and Bryn Ward won’t be involved.

From Ulster I’d expect:

Baloucoune – certain
McCloskey – certain
Tom O'Toole – certain
Timoney – probably on the bench

I can't see Doak or Tom Stewart making the matchday 23 , which leaves Stockdale.

What will Farrell do on the left wing?

Which Ulster players do you think make the squad?

Ireland Vs Wales (KO: 20:10)

DS69 — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 10:54:10 +0000

Will Stuart McCloskey stay as the starting center or will he be given a break now that Aki is back?
Will Stockdale get in now that Lowe is injured or will an out of position Tommy O’Brien take that place.
Surely Baloucoune keeps his place
Is it too early for Bryn Ward to get his first cap? but would that be at Timoney's expense?
Looks like Izuchukwu is out with a head injury
Does Doak get a look in?