Bordeaux full-back berth a live possibility for eager Joey Carbery
IN A HURRY: Budweiser ambassador Joey Carbery at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Pic: David Fitzgerald, Sportsfile
Joey Carbery is relishing the opportunity of a fresh start in the French Top 14 and playing with a “completely world class” backline at Union Bordeaux Begles.
The former Ireland fly-half has bid adieu to Munster after six injury-hit seasons during which he managed just 66 appearances and the 28-year-old, who has recently become a father for the first time with the arrival of baby son Beau last month, is due to fly to France on Wednesday morning ahead of his first pre-season training session next Monday at last season’s Top 14 losing finalists.
Not only is Carbery viewing his move overseas as a clean slate following his fitness frustrations but also a chance to reach what he feels is his attacking potential under the guidance of his new club’s Irish attack coach Noel McNamara and alongside quality backs such as French stars Damien Penaud, Maxime Lucu and Yoram Moefana.
Such is his enthusiasm for a fresh start he also said he would welcome the offer of a full-back berth with France number 10 Mathieu Jalibert also in the UBB squad.
Speaking on Tuesday to promote Budweiser’s sponsorship of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic at Aviva Stadium on August 24, Carbery spoke about what excited him most as he prepared to embark on the next chapter of playing career.
“I think it’s just playing with a new team, playing with a new structure, playing with guys who are completely world class and especially in that backline,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to getting out there and when there’s nothing on being able to give it to the likes of Penaud and other guys like that and just being able to go, ‘look, you do your thing’.
“I think it will complement the way I play a lot, that way, rather than being quite structured. I’m looking forward to that.
“They got to the Top 14 final, obviously Toulouse were immense (hammering UBB 59-3) but it didn’t reflect on how well that team looks. They went down quite early and it’s tough when you go down early by 15, 20 points because then you start chasing the game and Toulouse are too good of a team for that.
“So I’m looking forward to getting started because I think the potential in that squad is huge and they’re very ambitious from what I’ve heard so I’m really looking forward to seeing that in play.”
Carbery had left Leinster for Munster in 2018 in search of more game time at fly-half but is now simply seeking an extended run of games in order to play his best rugby and stay injury free, even if that means starting at full-back, while suggesting that was something he may not have felt while playing for the Reds.
“Yeah, to be honest, if that's where I was picked, I'd be more than happy to stay there. I do really love 15. I think the freedom you get from it, especially playing with the right team. Like, I played 15 back when I was playing with Johnny (Sexton), back in Leinster, and like it was just an incredible backline to play in. The players we had around, it made my job so much easier. But I've also been on the other side where you play 15 with probably not the best backline and you don't get much of the ball, you might touch it twice in a game.
“So, I suppose that's the difficult side of playing 15: you don't get as much involvement unless things happen. But I think the way the (UBB) backline lines up, to me it's very exciting because if you're at 15, you get a lot of ball, a lot of touches. So, if the opportunity came around, I'd grab it with two hands.
“I’m hoping, touch wood, everything goes well and I can just get a run of games. Like when I have got a run of games that’s when I’m at my best and I know I won’t get injuries as much because you’re more likely to pick up injuries when you’re playing here or there and your body’s not used to the hits and the impacts.
“I’m just hoping to put a fresh start down and get a run of it.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
