Tommy Bowe tips Stuart McCloskey for international call

Tommy Bowe has tipped Stuart McCloskey to make an impression at international level this year. The 22-year Ulster centre has been eye-catching for the province so far this season and will make his European debut in Saturday's game away to Leicester at Welford Road.

Irish winger Bowe believes that McCloskey has been serving up man of the match performances for Ulster and would not be surprised if Irish coach Joe Schmidt takes a long and hard look at the 6' 4" and 17stone player.

Relatively unknown, Dungannon’s McCloskey played with the emerging Irish side in Romania earlier this year and has kicked on from there.

“He’s a big, strong boy but his decision-making and his handling abilities are right up there with anyone,” said Bowe. “He’s come out of nowhere I’m sure for a lot of people, but he played a few games last year and he was a great player then as well.

“So I think he’s a player who I wouldn’t be at all surprised could be up there for an opportunity to wear the green jersey.”

McCloskey has been making life difficult for the hugely talented Stuart Olding, who has had to make a slow return to play after a serious knee injury.

The powerful centre, who played in the inside position with Emerging Ireland in Bucharest, has done all he can to take his chance and run with it.

"I feel for Stu Olding because he played the first few games, started against the Scarlets, making line breaks all over the place, playing great stuff coming back from serious knee surgery," said Bowe.

“He got told ‘we’ll rest you for the away trip to Zebre’ and Stuart McCloskey, who is 108 kilos, fast, strong, young, abrasive guy has come in and probably been our man of the match in the last three matches. As a coach, do you drop a guy who’s playing out of his skin for someone. It is just one of those tough decisions.

“Listen, Stuart Olding is a very talented player, like Stuart McCloskey, and he will get his opportunity. I’m sure he would love to be playing. He needs to if he wants to be involved in the November internationals.”