Joey Carbery believes Ireland’s competition for places will make them better prepared for their Guinness Six Nations opener against England.
The 23-year-old fly-half is battling for a starting spot with 2018 World Rugby Player of the Year Johnny Sexton, but Carbery says he will back any decision head coach Joe Schmidt makes.
The fly-half has dazzled for Munster since departing Leinster as Sexton’s understudy but acknowledges that the individual battle for places is creating a healthy rivalry in the squad.
“Everyone in this group is trying to make Ireland better,” he said. “If that makes the players better, which I think competition does, that’s a winning environment.
“The more we push each other, it will benefit each other and obviously benefit Ireland.
“Nothing’s changed, I think the more competition that’s there the better for both of us and makes us top of our game.”
The New Zealand-born back started two of Ireland’s autumn international fixtures – notching up ten points against Italy and a further 17 against USA.
He certainly left an impression on Ireland fans, showing that he will be ready if required against Eddie Jones’ men.
But Carbery says he will respect any decision his boss makes as Ireland target back-to-back Grand Slams.
He said: “I would love to start them all, but that’s up to Joe. Joe’s the best person to pick the team and he knows what’s right.
“You have got to back whatever call he makes. I would love to get game time, but Ireland comes first. Whoever is the best man for the job, gets picked.”
Whether Carbery is given the starting nod or not, the 16-times capped Ireland international is expecting a ferocious encounter against a dangerous England side.
“These games are never too far apart from each other,” he said. “They are always huge competitions.
“They have got threats all over the board. Up front they have huge physicality and out wide they have got some real speed and pretty dangerous runners.
“We have to be pretty sharp everywhere on the pitch, expect the unexpected and really just stick to our guns.
“We have trained pretty hard in the last two days and had a good week last week. Hopefully we will have the right system.”
