Rare Joe Schmidt slip hints at how Ulster may fill vacant flyhalf spot

Comments today from Joe Schmidt suggest Ulster may still be looking abroad to fill their void at 10 and may not look to fill it locally.

RugbyPass revealed this morning that Joey Carbery would be moving to Munster, which was duly confirmed at lunchtime. Understandably Schmidt – who was reported as being the architect of the move – addressed what appears to be a resolution to the signing saga that has gripped Irish rugby.

Schmidt distanced himself from the decision, suggesting that the move came down to the player and not the IRFU.

“It’s new news to me,” said Schmidt. “I haven’t had time to digest it personally. It’s a decision Joey has taken a bit of time over. It doesn’t seem to have affected his performances any. I think he’s played very well.

“I understand why Leinster would be desperately keen to hang on to him and why Munster feel that it’s a huge bonus for them.

“That’s a decision he’s made. Apart from him catching up with me, which was nicely photographed, I’ve left him to it. “

“I have no idea. I have no idea,” added Schmidt. “The initial conversation with Leo and myself and David Nucifora was not the best timing for any of us.”

It has been widely speculated that with the Carbery to Munster move going ahead, that Munster’s Ian Keatley would be sent North to fill the vacant Ulster 10 job role. However, Schmidt hints that Ulster may fill the position abroad.

“All we asked was if there was any interest for Ross or Joey to go up to Ulster. Ulster at the time were looking for a foreign option. They needed to know before midday the following day and so we had to see if there was any chance at all if any of our local number 10s were interested.”

The fact that Ulster needed to know by the following day suggests they a big name foreign signing could still be on the cards. With Charles Piutau’s £600,000 salary no longer on the books next season, there may yet be room for Ulster to make a big summer signing.

“It certainly wasn’t where I wanted to be at the time but I had a job to do. I honestly wasn’t sure what he was going to do,” said Schmidt. “I thought quite possibly he was going to stay put. I haven’t had that much time to think about it. I’ve had a quite a few other things on my plate.”

Time is against Ulster to sign a big name 10 ahead of the coming season, but with the Super Rugby season ending in August, there are bound to players still on the market.

Wallaby flyhalf Quade Cooper – a $600,000 a year exile at the Queensland Reds – has been consistently linked with a move to Ulster. With Michael Cheika declaring Cooper won’t play for the Wallabies unless he is playing Super Rugby, both he and Ulster appear to be a perfect match.

With many Ulster fans underwhelmed at the prospect of Ian Keatley signing for the province, a foreign import might be just what they need.