Big boost as star returns for Ireland

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland wing Jacob Stockdale has returned to Andy Farrell's squad for Sunday's Six Nations clash with Scotland after missing the opening three matches of the championship.

The 24-year-old damaged his knee playing for provincial side Ulster against Munster on January 2.

"Ulster's Jacob Stockdale returns to the squad having missed the opening three rounds through injury while Shane Daly will remain at Munster," the Irish Rugby Football Union announced on Monday

"The 36-man squad will travel to Edinburgh on Friday ahead of playing Scotland on Sunday at BT Murrayfield.

"Josh van der Flier will go through the graduated return-to-play protocols this week in the Ireland camp while there were no significant injury concerns from the other 12 players who featured in the Pro14 fixtures over the weekend."

Stockdale, who has 33 Irish caps, returned to action in Ulster's Pro14 victory over Ospreys on February 26.

Ireland lost their opening two Six Nations matches, against Wales and France, before beating Italy 48-10 in Rome.

Backs: Bundee Aki, Billy Burns, Ross Byrne, Craig Casey, Andrew Conway, Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Jamison Gibson Park , Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, Jordan Larmour , James Lowe, Stuart McCloskey, Conor Murray, Garry Ringrose, Jonathan Sexton, Jacob Stockdale

Forwards: Ryan Baird, Tadhg Beirne, Ed Byrne, Jack Conan, Will Connors, Ultan Dillane, Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Dave Heffernan, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Ronan Kelleher, Dave Kilcoyne, Tom O’Toole, Andrew Porter, James Ryan, Rhys Ruddock, CJ Stander, Josh van der Flier