Joey Carbery's performance at out-half for Ireland against Fiji at the weekend aroused both optimism and questions. He undoubtedly looks like the long-term successor to Johnny Sexton in a green jersey. Between now and Sexton's retirement, the question is will Carbery get enough game time at ten for Leinster?
Speaking on Off The Ball on Monday, Eddie O'Sullivan said that Carbery needs to play as much rugby at out-half as possible and that he may have to consider leaving Leinster as a possibility to further his career.
Carbery leaving Leinster - presumably for another Irish province should it ever happen - was a prospect which Keith Wood did not entertain when also speaking on Off The Ball this week.
I love it. That's great shit-stirring by Eddie, to be honest.
There's no way he's going to leave Leinster and there's no way he should leave Leinster. I think if you put the whole thing in context, both Ireland and Leinster; if you go back and look at [Dan] Carter playing ten and look at Beauden Barrett playing 15 or coming on at 15 or coming in at en to cover up towards the end of a career. You can maximise the ability of both and you want a sense of longevity as well where you can.
Carbery has mainly lined out at fullback for Leinster this year with Ross Byrne playing out-half in Johnny Sexton's absence. The 22-year-old continuing to play fullback when Sexton is available is a situation Wood wants like to see
Actually, when Sexton is playing, I would want to see Carbery playing 15. Yes, I would still say he is a 10 and I think he'll be an incredible 10 and when we need him he'll be an incredible 10.
With all the injuries at full-back, I think that's one of the reasons why Ross Byrne got in there. Ross Byrne played well in there but for me, Carbery is a better 10 than Ross Byrne.
