Stuart McCloskey could feel proud in the knowledge he had justified his selection ahead of two Lions to start against the All Blacks. Despite this, he also wore the look of a man frustrated by how his big evening in Chicago panned out.
The Ulster player was surprisingly chosen ahead of Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw for his 22nd cap – just his ninth Test start against a Tier 1 nation, 10 seasons on from his debut at Twickenham. His hard carrying beyond contact, as well as his offloading ability, gave Ireland another attacking dimension.
McCloskey was Ireland’s leading carrier, with a dozen carri
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