Jack Carty shows his worth despite not getting Ireland call

Out-half left out in cold by Ireland’s coach but inspires Connacht victory

Connacht's Jack Carty celebrates at the final whistle of the United Rugby Championship victory over Ulster at Aviva Stadium. Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Cian Tracey Twitter Email

October 25 2021 02:30 AM

For the second week running, Jack Carty was the best Irish out-half on show throughout an enthralling interpro derby.

Unlike the previous weekend when he came out on top in his duel with Joey Carbery, Carty’s performance on Saturday was good enough to inspire Connacht to a rip-roaring win over a disappointing Ulster side, as he outshone Billy Burns from start to finish.

Andy Farrell watched on from the stand, but he is unlikely to have come away from the Aviva Stadium having learned anything new about Carty because in many ways, it was a typical display from the Athlone native.

It wasn’t perfect and while Carty will be frustrated with his goal-kicking, there was much to like in how he steered the ship and varied the point of attack. Whether it was threatening the line or finding space with his passing game, Carty constantly asked questions of the Ulster defence, which was a far cry from what his opposite number Burns offered, as he struggled behind a well-beaten pack.

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Both Carty and Burns will be watching the November Tests from the outside and although injury could open the door, the Connacht man is very much out of favour with Farrell.

Carty has had the added responsibility of being captain over the last fortnight, yet he has thrived under the extra pressure, much to the delight of his head coach Andy Friend.

The Australian works with Carty every day, so he knows what he is capable of, yet, ultimately his opinion doesn’t count for much when it comes to international selection, as Carty put a tough week behind him with a mature display.

“I was disappointed for a few blokes but at the end of the day everyone has different opinions,” Friend said.

“What I was really pleased about and proud of was the way some of those fellas rocked up there today and put out a performance that no doubt has the Irish selectors continuing to look at. That’s all you can ever do, you just put out your best performance.

“I thought Jack did pretty well today. I think he is really growing into the captaincy, to be honest with you. He seems to like that. He’s taking control as a 10 and as the skipper. I was really proud of his performance.”

Asked why he felt Carty hasn’t been getting international recognition since Farrell took over, Friend simply replied: “I think you’d have to talk to Andy Farrell and get his views on it.”

Of course, Farrell’s opinion is the only one that matters and for all that many supporters are bemused by Carty’s omission, you can understand where the Ireland head coach is coming from.

Johnny Sexton is comfortably the best out-half in the country. Carbery is not going to be ditched, while Farrell sees huge potential in Harry Byrne. Not everyone will agree with his selections, but there is sense in Farrell’s approach, even if it is harsh on Carty.

“He is a guy who can just find space wherever it is – whether it’s us running or his kicking game, which has been unbelievable in the first couple of rounds,” said Mack Hansen, who scored two of Connacht’s five tries to take his tally to four in the flying Australian winger’s first five games with the western province.

“When you are playing with someone like that, getting you front-foot ball, it just makes it a whole lot easier.”

Hansen has been one of the real success stories of Connacht’s season, which has taken on a different complexion now that they go into the break with a second win to their name.

Three defeats on the bounce would have been a disaster, and considering how much pressure Connacht were under going into last weekend, it made their 36-11 victory all the more pleasing.

Many of the locals were unhappy when Connacht gave up home advantage in a bid to get more paying punters in the Aviva Stadium door, and even though they would have hoped for a better attendance than 9,875, Friend’s men at least delivered an impressive performance.

“We actually didn’t talk about it and had we talked about it I think it probably would have heaped more pressure,” Friend maintained. “I think we all probably knew, just as a footy team, that we needed to have a performance but I’m sure most of us were acutely aware that for the organisation it was a pretty important one.

“What we certainly didn’t talk about was to lump that pressure on the players as well, it would have been unfair. I can sit here now and look at ourselves and say it was a pretty good decision to come up here. The boys are saying it felt like a full house, with a lot of really proud Connacht supporters.

“There’s always going to be disappointment with people, that’s unavoidable in life unfortunately but I think we were justified now in our decision to come here. It’s a one-off and we’re very keen to get back to the Sportsground and play in front of our fans there.”

Connacht will have to wait until November 26 to get back their Galway home. In the meantime, Ultan Dillane, Finlay Bealham and Bundee Aki, who Friend confirmed should overcome a knee injury in time to train with Ireland this week, will head off on international duty. For Carty, a long five weeks is bound to feel even longer, as he continues to be left out in the cold.

Connacht – T O’Halloran (D Kilgallen 55); J Porch, S Arnold, T Daly (C Fitzgerald 57), M Hansen; J Carty (capt), K Marmion (C Blade 70); M Burke (J Duggan 55), D Heffernan (S Delahunt 55), F Bealham (J Aungier 57); N Murray, U Dillane (O Dowling 55); E Masterson, C Oliver, P Boyle (J Butler 60).

Ulster – E McIlroy (B Moxham 67); R Baloucoune, J Hume, S McCloskey, C Gilroy (M Lowry 24); B Burns, N Doak (D Shanahan 67); E O’Sullivan (A Warwick 52), R Herring (B Roberts 52), T O’Toole (R Kane 52); A O’Connor, I Henderson (capt) (K Treadwell 56); M Rea, N Timoney, D McCann (G Jones 56).

Ref – A Brace (Ireland)