This story has been burbling along for a week now, having first appeared in last weekend's Sunday Times. Given Leinster's surplus of talented out-halves in reserve to Johnny Sexton and the fact that Ulster need a new 10 following the sacking of Paddy Jackson, Joe Schmidt and David Nucifora put pressure on Leo Cullen to decide which of Ross Byrne and Joey Carbery are expendable.
This launched a hundred debates and think pieces over the last week: how this was unfair on Leinster; how it is ultimately in the best interests of Ireland's Rugby World Cup squad; why the players should go; why the players should stay; why they shouldn't go to Ulster; why would they want to go to Ulster; Ulster's a "basket case"; No, Ulster's not a basket case.
The debate now beginning to poke its head out from beneath all of this is the classic, alternative view: You're Right, The Players Shouldn't Go To Ulster. But They Should Go Somewhere Else.
Victor Costello was the first to float the idea in relation to Joey Carbery, and in today's Irish Independent, Tony Ward follows suit by suggesting Carbery should move to Munster.
Ian Keatley failed to deliver against Racing, and although Munster also have Tyler Blyendaal and JJ Hanrahan, the former's injury profile and the latter's versatility means that there could be openings at fly-half.
Here's how Costello sees it:
The best solution for Ross Byrne and Joey Carbery would be for Carbery to join Munster - his versatility would replace Simon Zebo and also change their stagnant backline.
And today, Ward follows suit, albeit eager to point out that the decision must be Carbery's:
Carbery is much too talented to be on the sideline. To move elsewhere in search of game-time and by extension career fulfillment is an essential, not an option. Munster along with Ulster and Connacht also need to reassess as to where exactly they want to go with their out-half options.
As to Carbery's likely destination, I have no bias whatsoever. However, I think it is ironic that the club (ouch) with the heaviest resources in theory (Munster) is the one with the biggest out-half issue going forward. Johann Van Graan and Felix Jones have called it right thus far when opting for Ian Keatley over Tyler Bleyendaal and JJ Hanrahan when all are fit and firing but the time is nigh for Munster management to re-assess.
What do you think? Is Munster the right move for Carbery? And is Carbery the right move for Munster?
[Irish Independent]
See Also: Neil Francis Points Out The "Crazy" Munster Decision That Caused The Racing Collapse
