Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has backed Joey Carbery to come back even stronger after his recent injury nightmares, but insists he needs time to get back up to full speed.
The 25-year-old has been plagued by a persistent ankle problem sustained in a World Cup warm-up match against Italy in August 2019, and has played just twice for club side Munster since Ireland lost out in the quarter-finals to New Zealand 16 months ago.
But the 2018 Grand Slam winner has been named on the bench by Johann van Graan for this weekend’s clash with Cardiff Blues in the Guinness PRO14, as he steps up his return to action.
Carbery’s last outing was against Ulster on January 3rd 2020, and Farrell is elated to see the influential star return to the field this weekend.
“I’m absolutely delighted for Joey,” Farrell said. “I know first hand what he’s been through the last couple of years.
“He has worked so hard to try and get back. On a few occasions it’s not happened for him. I’d like to praise all the medical team that’s looked after him in Munster and the IRFU .
“It’s brought him to a place where he’s comfortable and super excited about getting back on the field.”
Carbery provided support from the bench in 2018 when Ireland last won the Six Nations, as he made four substitute appearances as the Men in Green swept aside all that came before them.
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From there he continued to excel for both club and country, appearing twice more for Ireland in the 2019 Championship before the injury woes began.
With 22 international caps to his name, Carbery was becoming a regular figure among the Irish squad before his lengthy layoff, and Farrell believes his time could come again on the international scene, but insists that the fly-half isn’t rushed back too soon.
“What we need to be cautious about is giving Joey time. He’s been out so long. He’s so keen to get back in there to do well,” the Ireland boss said.
“If you give him the room and the time, let him get a number of games under his belt, I’m sure Joey will come back to be the player we all know he’s going to be.”
