A storied rugby institution, the Irish representation from Ulster has fallen away to a trickle in recent years and that is a concern
Ireland have confirmed that Tadhg Furlong, Garry Ringrose and Mack Hansen are set to return for their final match of the Guinness Six Nations against Italy in Rome on Saturday.
The defending champions came away from Cardiff with a hard-fought 27-18 success that has them leading the way at the top of the table on 14 points, three clear of the second-place French.
The Chiefs, who made 12 changes, collapsed to their fourth defeat in as many outings in Europe with Zack Wimbush’s late try registering a bonus point and their only match point in Pool One.
Even with uncertainty over hooker and left wing, Ireland's XV for their Six Nations opener is set to be distinctly blue-tinted.
Interim Ireland head coach Simon Easterby has named uncapped Leinster prop Jack Boyle in a 36-man squad for the Guinness Six Nations.
Just five of the seven changes made for last week versus Fiji from the November 15 win over Argentina were reversed for this Saturday’s series-ending fixture with Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies.
Ulster wing Stockdale is poised to win just his fifth cap in four years after Farrell made seven personnel changes to the starting XV which scraped a 22-19 Autumn Nations Series win over Argentina.