IT WILL BE FUN WITH CARBERY
Nacewa hails brilliant Joey as Blues plan to collect league points & prepare for huge European test
ISA Nacewa is backing Joey Carbery to fill Rob Kearney’s boots as Leinster deal with the loss of the full-back and his Ireland colleague Jamie Heaslip for their Champions Cup quarter-final. Kearney (knee) and Heaslip (back disc) went under the knife at the end of the week to repair injuries suffered over the final stretch of the 6 Nations. Despite his exploits at No10 this season, Carbery is again named at full-back for the visit of the Cardiff Blues to the RDS this afternoon. And Nacewa, whose return after two months out with injury will be on the wing, is a massive fan of the 21-year-old. “Ah Joey’s great, you can see how electric his footwork is,” enthused the veteran. “He has great kicking out of hand, he plays what’s in front of him, he’s a genuine threat every time he’s got the ball. “He’s had international experience for the last seven months, and a different environment too, so he’s learning along the way. “He’s learned from Irish camp, he brings those eyes and ears back into Leinster, he’s a threat, he’s always fun to play with.” “It’s very hard to frazzle Joey, he just gets on with it, and that’s probably why he’s so exciting out on the rugby field.” Head coach Leo Cullen is keeping schtum on whether or not Carbery will line out at full-back against Wasps at the Aviva Stadium in seven days’ time. Springbok Zane Kirchner, who is leaving at the end of the season, will come into the reckoning after a tight hamstring ruled him out this week. Cullen’s immediate focus is on the province maintaining top spot in the league after a decent 6 Nations period and against a settled Cardiff side. “We’ll see how it goes,” said Cullen. “It’s hard to plan too far ahead. It’s so tight at the top of the league. “But we must also have one eye on next week, given what’s at stake in Europe.” It’s a rare occasion that he must plan without Heaslip and unfortunately for Heaslip, the natural No8 replacement Jack Conan felt a tight hamstring after the week’s training and wasn’t available for selection. On the plus side, Josh van der Flier returns after suffering a shoulder injury for Ireland against France last month – but Sean Cronin is still out. If Leinster were to progress in Europe, Cullen will hold out hope that his vice-captain will be back in time. “I think it’s his first surgery that he’s ever had,” said Cullen of the Naas man. “He’s unbelievable, resilient, and a great pro, Jamie, so if anyone could turn around an injury quickly, it’s likely to be him. “Three or four weeks is the most he’s been out, so it’s a pretty phenomenal run he’s had over the course of his career. “But he takes really good care of himself, he’s a great example to the young players that we have.” Cullen revealed that Johnny Sexton didn’t train this week after taking “a couple of bangs” against England, but that he is expected to start up from Monday. “Johnny doesn’t shirk it, he’s in the thick of everything and you can see the physical toll it takes.” IN Wales last night, Ulster stayed in fourth spot with a 26-10 victory over the Dragons. They scored three tries.