Joey Carbery is determined to enjoy his first Guinness Six Nations start against France on Saturday after overcoming two years of injury hell.
The fly-half will start in place of the injured Johnny Sexton and will marshal Ireland’s back line in the crunch clash in Paris.
Carbery was out for more than a year with an ankle injury following the 2019 World Cup, while hamstring, wrist and elbow injuries have also kept him on the treatment table.
However, the 26-year-old made his first Guinness Six Nations appearance in three years when he came off the bench in the 29-7 Round 1 victory against Wales at the Aviva Stadium.
And with Sexton injured, the No.10 jersey is his in one of the matches of the Championship as France and Ireland go head-to-head.
Both teams beat New Zealand in the Autumn Nations Series last November and are among the favourites to win the 2022 Championship and Carbery, after all he has been through to get to Paris, can’t wait to play.
“To come through that helps me to definitely enjoy the good things in life,” he said.
“To be honest I’m just delighted to be back playing and to be back out there injury-free.
“I’m just relishing the environment of going into such a big game at the weekend and it just puts everything into context really. Having gone through that I definitely feel mentally like I’m stronger for it.
“I think anyone would get nervous before any big game – I definitely do.
“There will always be that but when you think back to what you’ve been through and the training, how it’s gone the week previous, it gives confidence to me in particular and confidence to the players around me.
“Knowing you can lean back on the work you’ve done previous to this gives me massive confidence.”
Ireland’s backs scored four tries in their opening-day win against Wales and will likely need to score plenty of points again this weekend.
Ireland have not beaten France in Paris since Sexton’s memorable drop goal four years ago and Carbery says he is ready for the challenge.
“I feel like I’m ready to go both mentally and physically,” he said.
“I’ve obviously been involved in a few Six Nations campaigns before but I’m looking forward to getting a start from the go ahead.
“I’m just going out to do my job and help the team the best way I can. If I can help the guy inside and outside of me then I’ll be doing my job and hopefully we’ll be in a good spot.
“Every time I can get a start and game time under my belt it’s hugely beneficial. Having November and having the summer Tests behind me leaves me in a good spot going into this weekend.”
