We might need someone in November.
Ronan O’Gara joined Andy McGeady, Pat McCarry and Kev McLaughlin on The Hard Yards rugby podcast this week.
At the end of the pod, the guys answered questions from listeners on Twitter and one of them focused on the Irish number 10 jersey.
The listener asked who is next in-line, behind Sexton, to take the out-half position.
The current Racing 92 coach gave his opinion at the 1:03:40 mark.
ROG thinks Leinster’s Joey Carbery is head of the queue.
“He played in the summer at 10 against the USA and people were quick to fault his kicking at goal but his all-round game is exceptional.
“As a player he has an aura, I think when he has the ball in his hand he’s capable of doing things other players can’t do, he can light up a team.”
“His work-ons are managing the game but he has all the things that are really hard to do like being able to beat the line with his eyes closed.
“JJ Hanrahan is out injured at the moment, Jack Carty in Connacht has had flashes but needs to maintain that consistently to get his foot in the Irish door. If Ian Madigan plays well in Bristol, he could be back in contention. Ian Keatley played against Italy in the Six Nations, he seems to be the forgotten man but with his experience he can rebound.”
“At the moment, I think Carbery, I wouldn’t pigeon hole him as a 15 either, I think he can easily play 10 at the top level.”
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