McCloskey keen to continue international career

McCloskey believes a good season for Ulster can translate into Ireland opportunities

He may have recently turned 33, but Ulster's Stuart McCloskey insists "the body still feels as good as it ever has" as his ambitions to represent Ireland remain.

McCloskey was one of six Ulster players selected for Ireland's summer tour to Georgia and Portugal in a squad that was missing a considerable British and Irish Lions contingent.

With 21 international caps to his name, the centre is looking for more with eyes turning to Ireland's Autumn Nations Series that begins against New Zealand in Chicago on 1 November.

"I've love to go over to Chicago and play there obviously, but I'd love to play any game for Ireland," he told BBC Sport NI's Gavin Andrews.

"I'd love to be in the squad again as it's a great environment to be in.

"I'm bigger now than I was when I was 22/23, still as fast and have a bit more rugby knowledge now, so it's just a matter of staying fit, getting out onto the pitch and playing games. I hope I'm still in a good spot to make a run at it."

McCloskey was called into Simon Easterby's Ireland squad during the Six Nations for the game against Wales, but did not make the match day squad.

Team-mate Iain Henderson was the only Ulster player who saw any game time during the tournament when introduced as a replacement in the opening win against England.

"Last year probably didn't do the lads who aren't involved any favours," McCloskey said of Ulster's poor form last season which may have been a contributing factor to the province's lack of involvement in the Ireland squad.

"As a team, if we're playing well it puts pressure on Andy [Farrell] and the people selecting. Even if you are playing well on a bad team, it's tough sometimes.

"Hopefully this year we can string together a few results, get up towards the top end of the table and give the young guys the best opportunity to get into that squad."

'Physical battle in Edinburgh storm ahead'

With a bonus point win against the Dragons to begin their season, Ulster now turn their attention to Friday's trip to face Edinburgh (19:00 BST).

Last season, Richie Murray's side fell to a 47-17 defeat to the Scottish club to complete a United Rugby Championship season to forget.

Producing a stronger performance at Hive Stadium is high on the agenda with the game expected to be played in difficult conditions due to the forecasted arrival of Storm Amy.

"The game for us at the end of last year was a bit of a dead rubber, but a massive game for them to get into the playoffs," McCloskey reflected.

"Like any other game, we just want to go over there and win and keep building on what we've done as a team - bring physicality as it will be a horrible night over there.

"The backs mightn't be getting too many touches of the ball, so a good chance for us to barrel up physically."