Just as the debate around Ireland's future at out-half is heating up, the sometimes forgotten man in that conversation has burst back into life.
Joey Carbery was long seen as the natural successor to Johnny Sexton, with his move to Munster in 2018 supposed to help him challenge his former Leinster teammate for the position.
However, his time at the province has been plagued by injury. Carbery has suffered a number of serious ailments, although he has made his most recent return over the last few weeks.
He started Munster's PRO14 clash against Scarlets last night, providing a timely reminder of his qualities.
The New-Zealand born 'ten' put in a fantastic performance, including producing a mesmerising solo run to set Shane Daly away for the game's second try.
JOEY CARBERY🌪️pic.twitter.com/n35AdR3v7a
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) March 12, 2021
Munster would run out winners on a 28-10 scoreline.
Carbery also boasted a 100 per cent record from the tee and had the watching public purring about his return to form.
JOEY CARBERY SLICING AND DICING ON TRANSITION #MUNvSCA
— Three Red Kings (@threeredkings) March 12, 2021
How good is it to see Joey Carbery back doing something like that?
Pure class.— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) March 12, 2021
It is so so good to see Joey Carbery tear it up on the pitch again.
Getting back from a serious injury after serious injury is so mentally fatiguing. I. I'm absolutely delighted for him and for Munster. #MUNvSCA— Jenny Murphy (@jennymurphy045) March 12, 2021
It is really lovely to see Joey Carbery back like this, even when it's your team he's tearing apart.
— Rhiannon Garth Jones (@rhigarthjones) March 12, 2021
Unsurprisingly, he was named man-of-the-match for his efforts.
Speaking to TG4 after the game, Carbery said he was delighted to get a few more minutes under the belt in his return from injury.
Is é Joey Carbery Laoch na hImeartha anocht 👏 🏆 👏
"It's nice to start, get 60 minutes and kind of get back into the flow of the things" 🔴#MUNvSCA@Rugbai_BEO @PRO14Official pic.twitter.com/KtVw0nz08h— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) March 12, 2021
It was great to be back out, get 60 minutes under my belt and just back into the flow of things. It was obviously tough conditions and a tough opponent, but it's great to get the bonus point and keep improving...
During the injury you can't replicate the actual game or training until you get back in. It's just getting minutes and training under my belt and keep performing.
Remarkably, Carbery is still only 25-years old meaning he could certainly still be the long-term solution at out-half for Ireland if he can maintain his fitness.
In the coming weeks he will also have the small matter of a PRO14 final and a Champions Cup round of 16 tie against Leinster and Toulouse respectively. Munster supporters will certainly be excited about his potential impact in those games after this performance.
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