Joey Carbery returns to Ireland fold with Ireland XV selection

Joey Carbery has been selected for Mark Sexton's Ireland XV squad after returning to Leinster, with the fly-half identifying an Ireland comeback as a central reason for leaving French rugby. BBC Sport reported that the 31-year-old was not included in Andy Farrell's latest senior squad but has returned to the wider national setup after two years outside the Irish system.

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Carbery has made two starts since rejoining Leinster from Bordeaux-Begles. His Ireland XV selection is for a match against Fiji 'A' in Cork, while his most recent senior international appearance was against Fiji in November 2022. He has 37 Test caps. Speaking to the Ireland Rugby Social, he described the call-up as an opportunity to become familiar again with Ireland's approach and said he hoped his performances would earn further recognition.

The move home follows a difficult period in France, where injuries limited him to four starts last season, according to BBC Sport. Carbery had joined Bordeaux after falling out of Ireland's plans for the 2023 Six Nations and World Cup. He said the chance to experience the Top 14 appealed after a frustrating end to his time at Munster, when he felt he was receiving little explanation for his exclusion.

International ambitions also shaped his earlier move from Leinster to Munster in 2018. Carbery recalled that then-Ireland coach Joe Schmidt wanted him playing regularly at fly-half, while Leinster's Stuart Lancaster preferred him at full-back. With the 2019 World Cup approaching, he chose Munster as a route to more opportunities in the position Ireland wanted him to occupy.

His first Leinster spell included the province's Pro14 and Champions Cup double in 2018. He also served as Johnny Sexton's understudy during Ireland's Grand Slam that year, having made his Test debut in the 2016 victory over New Zealand in Chicago. Injuries and the emergence of Jack Crowley later complicated his progress at Munster.

Back at Leinster, Carbery will also be reunited with Noel McNamara, who BBC Sport reported was confirmed last week as Leo Cullen's successor. Carbery previously worked with McNamara at underage level and Bordeaux. He praised the coach's communication and management of players, while making clear that his own immediate route back to senior international rugby depends on what he delivers on the field.