O'Driscoll blasts 'unforgivable' Stockdale error while Ulster fans rally around their star

Former Leinster and Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll believes that Stockdale’s in-goal blunder in Ulster’s quarterfinal clash at Aviva Stadium is ‘unforgivable’.

“It is going to be the story tomorrow,” Brian O’Driscoll said in the BT Sport post-match show.

“It was brilliantly manufactured by Ulster and again he had a fair bit of work to do, but this unfortunately for Jacob Stockdale is unforgivable.

“When you find yourself over the whitewash, yes there is a player dragging out of him looking to get a challenge in, but you’ve got to dive.”

"That's a howler. And it's cost them the game."

Shane Horgan on that Jacob Stockdale incident earlier at the Aviva.#LEIvULS #ChampionsCup #VMTVRugby pic.twitter.com/pbnTGnu8A4

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 30, 2019

Ulster was ahead by two points at the time, 13-11 and the score would have proved pivotal as they ended up losing the game 20-18. Three minutes after Stockdale’s blunder Leinster took the lead through Adam Byrne.

“You’ve got to guarantee the ball goes down,” O’Driscoll added.

“There is a risk of knocking the ball on or losing it in contact, that does not happen or tends not to happen far less frequently when you dive. It’s the whole momentum swing of the game.

“They’re 11-13, they score that, it’s guaranteeing a 7-point game that gives you security, the momentum is with you and they still have the conversion to knock over for a two-score game.

“That is everything in tight affairs like this.”

Ulster head coach Dan McFarland was quick to defend his star winger, adding that is not the reason they lost the game.

“That’s not the reason why we lost that game.

“I’m not dwelling on that. I’m very proud of him and I’m very glad he’s on my team.”

Many Ulster fans were supportive of Stockdale, with many noticing how upset the 22-year-old was. There was a resounding message of support for him.

Any “supporter” chastising Stockdale for the mistake isn’t a real Ulster Fan, that lad has played his socks off for both club and country and been outstanding all season. Not many in world rugby would even have got themselves into that position in the first place #SUFTUM #Ulster

— Mike McBride (@MichaelJMcB) March 30, 2019

Looked like Jacob Stockdale was in tears on his own. Dave Kearney the first man over to console him.

Classy.

— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) March 30, 2019

Jacob stockdale looking all sad is breaking ma heart 😓 #LEIvULS

— Becca Croash (@BeccaCroash) March 30, 2019

Heroic by Ulster, they will look forward to going into next year with Dan McFarland. It will be tough on Stockdale but once he learns, he'll be a better player for it. While flamboyant, he's not a Chris Ashton. It will never happen again #LeinstervUlster

— Daragh Ó Conchúir (@RebelDevil71) March 30, 2019

Just home from the game and reading the unfair @JacobStockdale reviews. We were class out there tonight. We made mistakes but we fought Leinster to the end. I can't remember the last time I was as proud to be an Ulster man! Lads, unlucky. We'll be back! @UlsterRugby #LEIvULS

— Chris McConaghie (@McconaghieChris) March 31, 2019

Leinster advance to the semi-finals of the Champions Cup alongside Saracens and Munster who defeated both Scottish teams Edinburgh and Glasgow in the weekend’s action.

Stephen Ferris discusses Ireland’s form heading into the World Cup: