NFL fan Joe McCarthy happy to make case for defence 

The second row made a big impression once again against Italy on Sunday.

Ireland’s Joe McCarthy with his family after the game. Picture: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

If anyone can relate to Joe McCarthy’s love of getting “man and ball” after another powerhouse performance it must surely be Italy’s Paolo Garbisi.

The Azzuri fly-half was given a torrid time at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday as Ireland’s rookie second row hunted relentlessly for the man in the blue number 10 jersey throughout the 80 minutes of a dominant 36-0 Guinness Six Nations victory.