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Fly-half Joey Carbery has declared his determination to reclaim a spot in the Ireland national team following his return to Leinster after spending two years playing outside the Irish rugby system. The 31-year-old was recently named in Mark Sexton’s Ireland XV panel for an upcoming match against Fiji ‘A’ in Cork, despite missing out on Andy Farrell’s main national squad.
Focusing on International Ambitions
Speaking on the Ireland Rugby Social, Carbery made his international goals clear, stating that earned selection for the national side was a central factor in his decision to move back to Ireland.
“Play for Ireland, I’ll just go out there and say it,” Carbery said. “It’s what I want. It was a big reason to come home, to give these next three or four years the best shot I can. I want to let my rugby do the talking and hopefully that’s enough.”
Carbery has made two starts for Leinster since returning from French club Bordeaux-Begles. His inclusion in the Ireland XV panel offers an avenue back into the national team structure. Coincidentally, his last Test cap for Ireland came during a victory against Fiji in November 2022. Carbery described his inclusion in the squad as getting a foot back in the door of the Irish system, noting that it was positive to rejoin the setup alongside a largely young group of players.
Position Struggles and Move to Munster
Born in New Zealand, Carbery was long considered the eventual successor to Johnny Sexton, serving as his backup for both Leinster and Ireland. He made his senior international debut in November 2016 during Ireland’s victory over New Zealand in Chicago. In 2018, he served as Sexton’s deputy during Ireland’s Grand Slam campaign and helped Leinster complete a Pro14 and Champions Cup double.
However, a conflict over his primary playing position led to his departure from Leinster in the summer of 2018. Former Leinster senior coach Stuart Lancaster viewed Carbery as a full-back, whereas former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt informed the player he would only select him at fly-half.
Facing a choice between joining Ulster or Munster ahead of the 2019 World Cup, Carbery opted for Munster to secure playing time at out-half. He explained that Schmidt told him he would not be picked for Ireland if he was not playing at number 10, which prompted his transfer to Munster.
Injury Setbacks and French Spell
Carbery’s time at Munster was hampered by recurring injury issues and the emergence of Jack Crowley, who made his Ireland debut in the same November 2022 fixture that marked Carbery’s last Test appearance.
After being left out of Ireland’s squads for the 2023 Six Nations and the 2023 World Cup, Carbery accepted an offer from coach Noel McNamara to join Top 14 side Bordeaux-Begles. Reflecting on his exit from Munster, Carbery mentioned feeling stuck in a rut after going from a regular starter to being left out without receiving direct feedback. He recalled receiving a phone call from head coach Andy Farrell confirming his exclusion from the World Cup squad, a decision he said he anticipated after being sidelined for six weeks prior.
His spell in France was also impacted by injuries, limiting him to just four starts during his single season with Bordeaux-Begles.
Reuniting with McNamara at Leinster
In addition to seeking an international recall, Carbery aims to assist Leinster in their pursuit of another Champions Cup title, a trophy the province has not won during his eight years away.
With head coach Leo Cullen set to leave Leinster at the end of the current season, Noel McNamara was confirmed as his successor. Carbery expressed excitement about working with McNamara again, pointing out similarities between McNamara’s career path and that of Joe Schmidt, as both worked as schoolteachers before coaching in France and taking over at Leinster. Carbery praised McNamara’s leadership and communication skills, adding that his ability to manage a large squad containing international players will be vital for the role.
