Iain Henderson firmly believes that there is every reason Jacob Stockdale can reclaim his position as a mainstay for Ireland.
Tonight, Ireland is set to face Italy in the opening game of the Bank of Ireland series, and it marks Stockdale's long-awaited return to the international stage after more than two years.
Back in 2018, the 27-year-old winger was the standout player in the Grand Slam win of 2018He held the coveted spot on the left flank during the World Cup in Japan the following year under Joe Schmidt's leadership.
However, since then, Stockdale has fallen out of favor within Andy Farrell's setup. The emergence of Mack Hansen and James Lowe has further diminished his opportunities to wear the green jersey of Ireland.
Undeterred, Henderson, Stockdale's club rugby teammate, firmly believes in the winger's ability to recapture his 2018 form and to give Farrell's a conundrum ahead of the World Cup.
"Jacob is an incredible athlete; you still witness his awe-inspiring feats during training," Henderson stated confidently.
"At that time in 2018, our team was in top form, and Jacob finished off numerous exquisitely crafted tries from the collective effort of the entire team.
#GrandSlam sealed!
Jacob Stockdale scored a record seventh try in a single #SixNations campaign as #Ireland humbled last year's champions #England 24-15 at Twickenham.#ENGvIRE pic.twitter.com/7ZSKQaLWLZ— Love Belfast ❤️ (@love_belfast) March 17, 2018
"He retains all of those athletic attributes, the same unwavering mindset, and an unyielding desire. Time is on his side too.
"For anyone familiar with Jacob personally, they know he doesn't back down from any argument or fight.
"Knowing his personality and abilities, I see no reason why we shouldn't witness the resurgence of the 2018 Jacob Stockdale. It's an exhilarating prospect for him and everyone else.
"He understands the importance of patience and perseverance in this journey. I am certain Jacob will continue to work diligently towards his goals without losing heart."
In a fortuitous turn of events, with several senior players unavailable for different reasons, Henderson himself has been bestowed with the captaincy for the Italy match.
When asked about his feelings on this honour, Henderson beamed, saying, "Faz (Farrell) told me about being the captain, and I was over the moon.
"This will be an exceptionally poignant moment for me, having my family here to witness it all."
Ireland's game kicks-off at 8pm, later this evening.
