YOU’RE IN, JOEY
Carbery to start as Schmidt weighs up his reserve options
JOEY CARBERY has received a major vote of confidence after Joe Schmidt rewarded the Munster flyhalf for his impressive early season form with a place in his starting XV for the game against Italy tomorrow.
The Ireland head coach was instrumental in convincing Carbery to come out of Johnny Sexton’s shadow at Leinster and become a leading man at his former side’s provincial rivals.
Carbery, who turned 23 this week, has thrived since the summer move with six starts and a number of impressive performances for Johann van Graan’s side. Sexton remains Schmidt’s first choice fly-half but Carbery has been given the opportunity to press his case further at Soldier Field in what will be his fourth start for Ireland.
‘Joey’s an affable character and a fierce competitor so it’s not overly surprising that he’s fitted in well at Munster, especially because he knew so many of the players before he went there,’ said Schmidt.
‘His running game is a strength as is his work ethic, so that’s always a good starting point, At the same time, being new into an environment and having to run the game is a
challenge but I think he’s doing a good job of it and he seems to be getting increasingly comfortable with it.’ Jacob Stockdale, who will start on the wing on Saturday, has seen a big change in the New Zealand-born No 10’s demeanour this week. ‘Joey has stepped up to the role really well. When Johnny’s playing, he’s a very dominant character and he knows what he wants and tells people what he wants,’ he said. ‘Joey’s done that really well this week. He’s come in and stepped up and taken on that role really well. He knows his stuff and I have no doubt that he’ll be able to do the job this weekend.’ Leinster full-back Jordan Larmour and Munster lock Tadhg Beirne will make their first Test starts with Leinster flyhalf Ross Byrne and Ulster midfielder Will Addison poised to win their first caps from the bench. Larmour will look to stake his claim for a permanent full-back slot in the absence of Rob Kearney. The 21-year-old will spearhead an exciting backline containing Stockdale, Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose. In the absence of captain Rory Best and his lieutenants Sexton and Peter O’Mahony, Schmidt has handed the captain’s armband to Leinster flanker Rhys Ruddock. ‘He is a workaholic on the pitch and prepares incredibly well off it, so he’s an ideal leader in the absence of Rory, Pete and Johnny,’ added Schmidt.