'Fried' Carbery explains reasons for Leinster departure and why he chose Munster

Joey Carbery says that more game time at 10 was the key reason for his move to Munster.

His departure from Leinster was officially confirmed yesterday, with Ulster missing out on his signature.

Carbery said a move to the Kingspan Stadium was “an option” but added “I suppose it was a personal decision. I thought the opportunity would be better down in Munster.

“I was going off the cards I had in front of me. That was why I made the decision. The game time, getting more of an influence at 10, that’s the big thing, but I know people down there too, they’ll make things easier. Just getting to play more regularly is the main reason. It’s purely a rugby-based decision. I’m excited for the opportunity.”

Carbery is clearly Joe Schmidt’s preferred option as back-up to Johnny Sexton when it comes to the international fold, however Ross Bryne’s call-up for the Australia tour will give him a chance to impress and put pressure on the New Zealand-born playmaker too.

A clear advantage Carbery will have over Byrne next season is the fact he’ll be playing alongside Conor Murray, allowing him more game-time with the Ireland scrum half while playing for Munster.

Surprisingly Carbery said that Joe Schmidt didn’t try and coax him into a move.

“He wouldn’t have told me what to do. He was more an advisor. I contacted him about meeting up, you guys have seen that picture. It was more just to get his opinion because me and my dad had never gone through anything like this and he has been in the professional game for a long enough time that he’d know.

“It was good just to get his insight on it. I just wanted to get my decision out there before I got on the plane (to Australia), so I could have a bit of a clear head.”

He was also impressed with Munster Director of Rugby Johann van Graan when they met to discuss the move.

“I felt like I connected with him and he seemed like a really honest guy, which I like; someone I can go to, especially if I’m living away. I’m going to need someone who’s a good advisor, who I can trust and just have chats with, even not regarding rugby. I felt like he could definitely be that person I could talk to, so I really liked him”

The decision to leave Leinster, the Champions Cup and PRO14 champions, hasn’t been easy.

“I feel it’s been a tough few weeks, my head’s been a bit fried trying to get all my cards on the table. I’ve had the help of some really good advisors, giving me confidence, telling me a few things.

“I know myself I need to develop, Leinster have got me to a stage now where I feel like I’m just about ready. Now I need to go out and develop even more. It’s purely based on the opportunity of playing 10. That’s what it came down to, and going out of my comfort zone I suppose is going to be pretty tricky.

“It’s going to be tough but I’m a rugby player and I’ve got to concentrate on my rugby.”