Northern | US
Ireland Joe McCarthy

Joe McCarthy

Joe McCarthy
Ireland
Ireland
Joe McCarthy

Joe McCarthy is a lock who represents Leinster and Ireland. He toured with the British and Irish Lions in 2025.

Age

25

Position

Lock

Height

198cm

Weight

119kg

Joe McCarthy News

Ireland player ratings vs Argentina | Nations Championship 2026

Latest

Six Ireland squad takeaways - a 'specimen' and spicy competition but Munster may be miffed

Andy Farrell picks two uncapped players in Ireland squad led by Dan Sheehan

Joe McCarthy Stats

Stats compared to other Locks

Joe McCarthy Stats

Stats compared to other Locks
Joe McCarthy
Joe McCarthy

Key Stats

Season Performance

Minutes played : {{totalMinsPlayed}}

Season Performance

>Minutes played : {{totalMinsPlayed}}
Joe McCarthy

Match Stats

Previous

Joe McCarthy Performance Analysis

Six Nations 2026

Joe McCarthy featured in 3 matches during the 2026 Six Nations, representing Ireland. Results included 3 wins and 0 losses.

Ireland finished 2nd in the 2026 Six Nations, having won 4 and lost 1 of their 5 matches.

Joe McCarthy played 250 minutes across the Six Nations 2026. In attack he made 60m with ball in hand, beating 2 defenders and scoring 0 tries. Defensively he completed 50 tackles at a rate of 16.67 per game.

In the Six Nations 2026, Joe McCarthy completed 17 passes at an accuracy of 94%, contributing 1 try assist and making 37 touches.

Rugby World Cup 2023

Joe McCarthy featured in 2 matches during the 2023 Rugby World Cup, representing Ireland. Results included 1 win and 1 loss.

Joe McCarthy represented Ireland at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where Ireland were eliminated at the Quarter Final stage.

Joe McCarthy played 101 minutes across the Rugby World Cup 2023. In attack he made 37m with ball in hand, beating 5 defenders and scoring 1 try. Defensively he completed 8 tackles at a rate of 4 per game.

In the Rugby World Cup 2023, Joe McCarthy completed 11 passes at an accuracy of 100%, contributing 0 try assists and making 31 touches.

  • He ranked in the top 5% of Lock's for defenders beaten in the Rugby World Cup.
  • Nations Championship 2026

    Joe McCarthy has featured in 3 matches during the 2026 Nations Championship to date, representing Ireland, with 2 wins and 1 loss.

    Ireland are currently 2nd in the 2026 Nations Championship table, having played 3 of their 4 matches.

    Joe McCarthy has played 216 minutes across the 2026 Nations Championship so far. In attack he has made 74m with ball in hand, beating 9 defenders and scoring 1 try. Defensively he has completed 47 tackles at a rate of 15.67 per game.

    In the Nations Championship 2026, Joe McCarthy has completed 20 passes at an accuracy of 95%, contributing 0 try assists and making 41 touches.

    His tackle completion rate of 90% was among the highest of any Lock's in the Nations Championship.

    He beat more defenders than any other Lock's in the Nations Championship.

  • He ranked in the top 5% of Lock's for metres carried in the Nations Championship.
  • Investec Champions Cup 2026/2027

    Joe McCarthy has featured in 1 matches during the 2026/2027 Investec Champions Cup to date, representing Leinster Rugby, with 1 win and 0 losses.

    Joe McCarthy is representing Leinster Rugby in the 2026/2027 Investec Champions Cup season, who currently sit 1st in the table with 1 matches played.

    Joe McCarthy has played 80 minutes across the 2026/2027 Investec Champions Cup so far. In attack he has made 5m with ball in hand, beating 1 defenders and scoring 0 tries. Defensively he has completed 16 tackles at a rate of 16 per game.

    In the Investec Champions Cup 2026/2027, Joe McCarthy has completed more passes than any other Lock in the competition, with 11 at an accuracy of 100%. He has also contributed 0 try assists and made 13 touches.

    His tackle completion rate of 94% was among the highest of any Lock's in the Investec Champions Cup.

  • He ranked in the top 5% of Lock's for try assists in the Investec Champions Cup.
  • He completed more passes than any other Lock in the Investec Champions Cup.

    United Rugby Championship 2026/2027

    Joe McCarthy has featured in 2 matches during the 2026/2027 United Rugby Championship to date, representing Leinster Rugby, with 2 wins and 0 losses.

    Joe McCarthy is representing Leinster Rugby in the 2026/2027 United Rugby Championship, who currently sit 6th in the table with 5 matches played.

    Joe McCarthy has played 160 minutes across the 2026/2027 United Rugby Championship so far. In attack he has made 35m with ball in hand, beating 8 defenders and scoring 0 tries. Defensively he has completed 23 tackles at a rate of 11.5 per game.

    In the United Rugby Championship 2026/2027, Joe McCarthy has completed 9 passes at an accuracy of 100%, contributing 0 try assists and making 30 touches.

    He beat more defenders than any other Lock's in the United Rugby Championship.

    Joe McCarthy Bio

    Joe McCarthy was born on 26 March 2001 in Manhattan, New York. He then moved to Ireland at the age of three. 

    McCarthy signed for the Leinster Rugby Academy for the 2021-22 season and made his first-team debut in Round 11 of the 2021–22 United Rugby Championship. He’s since made almost 50 appearances for the Irish province and he notably helped Leinster win the United Rugby Championship title in the 2024-25 season. 

    Thanks to his outstanding form for Leinster, Joe McCarthy made his Ireland debut in 2022. He’d previously played for the Ireland Wolfhounds and represented his county at U20 level. 

    Since, he’s become a regular for Ireland and has played for his country in both the Six Nations Championship and at the Rugby World Cup. 

    Due to the strength of his performances for both Leinster and Ireland, Joe McCarthy was called into the British and Irish Lions squad for the 2025 tour of Australia. He made his test debut for the team in the first test, which the Lions won 27-19.  

    Still young and with his best years firmly ahead of him, we can’t wait to see what Joe McCarthy achieves in what is set to be both a long and illustrious career. 

    Close Panel
    Close Panel

    Edition & Time Zone

    {{current.name}}
    Set time zone automatically
    {{selectedTimezoneTitle}} (auto)
    Choose a different time zone
    Close Panel

    Editions

    Close Panel

    Change Time Zone

    Close
    ADVERTISEMENT