20 QUESTIONS – Jack Carty:
‘I didn’t eat fish until I moved in with Eoin Griffin’
1. Pre-match meal?
I love a chicken and broccoli bake. It’s a bit of a ritual at this stage.
2. Favourite player growing up?
My favourite player was always Johnny Wilkinson. As a 10 myself, I appreciate what an incredible player he was.
I think his performance in the 2003 World Cup final against Australia was his stand-out game for me.
He was one of those players that was always really consistent.
3. Best away day room-mate and why?
Cian Kelleher or Bladey, both enjoy getting sleep like myself. The worst room-mate is someone that is untidy and snores. I won’t mention any name on that one.
4. Who would headline your house party?
Mumford And Sons. They are one of my favourite bands at the moment.
5. First song they would play?
‘Any of them’... may not be one to get the crowd going but they are special to see live.
6. You win the Lotto, what is the first thing you would buy?
The first thing I’d do is book a massive holiday to Vegas and bring all the squad along. I’m not sure what I’d do with the rest.
7. Favourite movie?
I don’t like watching movies more than once but one of the few I have is ‘Passengers’. It’s a science fiction movie with Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Pratt and Michael Sheen. The storyline is a bit out there but well worth a watch.
8. Favourite TV show and why?
My favourite would have to be ‘Game of Thrones’. It’s a big favourite among the squad. At the moment I’m watching ‘The OA’ on Netflix which is enjoyable. It’s a kind of American science fiction drama. It’s like any good Netflix series, when you start watching it, you just can’t stop.
9. Earliest rugby memory growing up?
The bus trips to Galway to see Connacht before there was a motorway and stopping in Craughwell on the way down. Stopping in at the shop on the way home was as important as the game itself.
10. Who is the joker in the dressing room?
Dominic Robertson-McCoy and James Mitchell are the two funny men of the group. Take your pick!
11. Favourite holiday destination and why?
Marbella is definitely my favourite holiday destination and I go there every summer. I went to Thailand a few years ago with the lads as well and that was probably one of the most memorable holidays I’ve been on.
12. Favourite away ground to play at?
Any pitch that is not 4G! I’d say Toulouse’s home ground, the Stade Ernest Wallon is probably my favourite. The capacity is about 20,000 and they have a really passionate bunch of supporters which makes for a great atmosphere.
13. Three people (dead or alive) who you would invite to dinner?
The comedian Joe Rogan, the actor Chris Pratt and Michael Collins. That would make for a really contrasting but interesting conversation.
14. Most memorable moment in rugby?
That would have to be the conversion against Wasps last year. To beat Wasps in the Sportsground was a brilliant result and to do it with the last kick of the game was a stand-out moment for me. We had a few really good performances that season and we came really close to qualifying for a quarter-final in the Champions Cup.
15. Do you have any pre-match superstitions/rituals?
I used to have numerous superstitions. I have none anymore though. I don’t know, maybe when you get older you just forget about that kind of stuff.
16. Who is the best player you have played alongside and why?
Mils Muliaina always stands out. When he came to us in Connacht he was at a later stage of his career but knowing what he had accomplished before, and his rugby knowledge would put him top of the list for me.
17. Who is the best player you have played against and why?
Johnny Sexton is probably the best, for his game intelligence and game management. He is always really consistent for both club and country. His match-winning drop goal against France a few weeks ago was a perfect example of that.
18. Can you tell us one interesting fact about yourself?
I didn’t eat fish until I moved in with Eoin Griffin. Now I love it!
19. Name three things that are always in your fridge?
Spinach, milk and Mi-Wadi.
20. Best advice you ever got?
Glass is always half-full rather than half-empty.