Confirmed: Joey Carbery returns to Leinster 

Joey Carbery of Bordeaux Begles during the Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 match between Bordeaux Begles and Ulster. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Ireland international Joey Carbery has completed his expected return to Leinster ahead of the 2026/27 season. 

Out-half Carbery's return to Leinster has been all but officially confirmed by the province in recent months, and speaking after being unveiled as a Leinster player, the versatile playmaker - who is recovering from a cruciate injury suffered on Bordeaux Begles duty in February - said he is eager to contribute.

“I am delighted to be returning home to Leinster," he said. "I am thrilled to be joining in with Leo and the lads, there are some familiar faces and loads of new ones to get to know. 

“I am working hard now to get myself fit and ready and contribute to the team as soon as possible.”

Carbery scored 101 points in 37 appearances during his first spell at the province and was named the province's young player of the year as well as the PRO12 young player of the season at the end of the 2016/17 campaign. 

After helping Leinster to a PRO14 and Champions Cup double in 2018, Carbery left to join Munster, where he won the United Rugby Championship title in 2023, but suffered injury troubles during his stay.

The 30-year-old has spent the last two seasons with Bordeaux Begles, where he helped the French side to back-to-back Champions Cup titles. 

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen said of Carbery's return: “We are delighted to welcome Joey back to Leinster Rugby. “Joey and his family have been huge contributors to the Province over many years and it certainly feels like a homecoming for Joey. 

"He has gained plenty of valuable experience over the last number of years and we are all keen to learn from each other over the coming months as we look to compete in a new season.” 

The 37-cap international is the first in the Leinster door ahead of the new season, with James Lowe, Rieko Ioane, Ciaran Frawley and Will Connors among a cohort heading the opposite direction.