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Carbery injury leaves fans worried as Ireland's fringe out-halves have six caps between them

By Josh Raisey
Joey Carbery's RWC hopes were threatened by injury last month

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt will have a lot of thinking to do over the next couple of weeks regarding his fly-half options going into the World Cup. 

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A month ago it seemed quite an easy picture for Ireland – Jonathan Sexton to start, with Joey Carbery on the bench. But an ankle injury to Carbery during the warm-up match against Italy on August 10 has now thrown the selection into turmoil. 

While it is believed the Munster fly-half may be able to recover in time for the opening weekend of World Cup, assistant coach Richie Murphy has given no guarantees from Ireland’s warm-weather camp base in Portugal that he will be picked considering those that are waiting behind him. 

Murphy also revealed that Ireland will seek to take five half-backs to Japan. Now that opens up a lot of questions, particularly regarding whether three or two fly-halves will be taken, and whether Carbery will be part of that group. 

The main debate that will be raging will for now is who will be the back-up 10 in Carbery’s absence. 

Connacht’s Jack Carty and Leinster’s Ross Byrne are both in the squad and what the preference should be is a debate that few people in Ireland can agree upon.

Fans on social media seem to be split too. There are compelling arguments for both players, but a lot will be expected of them at the World Cup as the coaching staff will seek to manage Sexton’s playing time. 

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Carty was selected for the Six Nations bench after Carbery was injured against Scotland in the Six Nations. He was also the substitute fly-half against Italy in the recent warm-up Test and some fans feel it is time for him to step up for Ireland.

Equally, Byrne, who deputises for Sexton with Leinster, is a fan favourite amongst and he earned his first caps in November 2018. 

What does worry some fans is that the two players currently only have six caps – all as replacements – between them (Carty four and Byrne two) going into such a huge tournament. This is what has been said: 

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With three Tests remaining before the global showcase starts – against England at Twickenham on Saturday where Byrne is expected to start, and home and away against Wales – expect both players to be tested as Schmidt searches for his back-up to Sexton. 

WATCH: The Rugby Pod question whether Johnny Sexton is still at the level to start for Ireland 

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