JACOB STOCKDALE CONTRIBUTED many moments of superb play yesterday as Ulster were beaten by Leinster in agonising fashion.

There were commanding aerial wins, a brilliant chip and regather, and his searing break in the build-up to his non-try.

But it is the missed chance, that failure to ground the ball after doing the hard work, that will be remembered above anything else from Stockdale in this defeat.

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Still only 22, Stockdale has already enjoyed stunning achievements in his burgeoning career – playing a prominent role in Ireland’s Grand Slam last year and scoring a brilliant try against the All Blacks – and it seems certain that there are more to come in the future.

The Ulster wing, however, has taken to Instagram today to apologise to Ulster fans for his error at the Aviva Stadium.

“I’ve had some incredible highs with Ulster rugby, but unfortunately yesterday was a low for me,” wrote Stockdale.

“Sport can be cruel and sometimes you have to learn your lessons the hard way.

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“To the Ulster fans I just want to say I am sorry, I let you down, the support we had yesterday was truly amazing and you deserve to be looking forward to a European semi final.”

Stockdale’s error has been strongly criticised in some quarters, with Ireland and Leinster legend Brian O’Driscoll calling the failure to finish “unforgivable.”

Stockdale was around five metres beyond the tryline when he lost control of the ball as he attempted to touch it down one-handed.