Jacob Stockdale has returned to the Ireland squad ahead of their Six Nations showdown with Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday.

The 24-year-old wing missed the opening three rounds of the championship after damaging his knee playing for Ulster against Munster on January 2.

Stockdale returned to action in Ulster’s PRO14 victory over Ospreys on February 26 and the 33-times capped speedster built up his fitness further in the 38-19 home defeat to Leinster on Saturday, which has prompted his recall to the Ireland squad.

“Ulster’s Jacob Stockdale returns to the squad having missed the opening three rounds through injury while Shane Daly will remain at Munster,” the Irish Rugby Football Union announced.

“The 36-man squad will travel to Edinburgh on Friday ahead of playing Scotland on Sunday at BT Murrayfield.

“Josh van der Flier will go through the graduated return-to-play protocols this week in Ireland camp while there were no significant injury concerns from the other 12 players who featured in the Guinness PRO14 fixtures over the weekend.”

Ireland lost their opening two Six Nations matches, against Wales and France, for the first time before beating Italy 48-10 in Rome.

Ireland squad

Backs: Bundee Aki, Billy Burns, Ross Byrne, Craig Casey, Andrew Conway, Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Jamison Gibson-Park, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, Jordan Larmour, James Lowe, Stuart McCloskey, Conor Murray, Garry Ringrose, Jonathan Sexton, Jacob Stockdale

Forwards: Ryan Baird, Tadhg Beirne, Ed Byrne, Jack Conan, Will Connors, Ultan Dillane, Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Dave Heffernan, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Ronan Kelleher, Dave Kilcoyne, Tom O’Toole, Andrew Porter, James Ryan, Rhys Ruddock, CJ Stander, Josh van der Flier