McCloskey wasn't a schools rugby wonderkid who clearly had a professional future, but he has proven to be a totem for Ulster for years now:
BEFORE HE SIGNED his most recent contract with Ulster, a deal that runs until the summer of 2024, there were murmurings that Stuart McCloskey was wanted by at least one Top 14 club.
Still, it was no shock that McCloskey signed on again with Ulster. That’s where his heart is. Let’s not forget that the Bangor man had to work hard and be patient to make the grade, so you can understand why he’s invested in the place now. By 2015/16, he was on a full senior deal and was establishing himself as a first-choice player. It’s not the common route for a professional rugby player in Ireland but McCloskey continues to play with the fire of someone out to prove their point.
He wasn’t particularly prominent in the early days of the Andy Farrell era but did play against Georgia, the US, and Japan in 2020/21 before things exploded for him this season. From November through to the third round of this year’s Grand Slam, McCloskey started six consecutive Ireland wins against South Africa, Fiji, Australia, Wales, France, and Italy.
Despite their worrying mid-season dip during the current campaign, throughout which McCloskey continued to play well, Ulster battled back to earn second spot in the URC table behind Leinster.
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