Carbery insists he has no desire to seek move away and is happy to bide time
JOEY CARBERY has reiterated his desire to remain at Leinster despite growing speculation surrounding his future. Carbery played his first full 80 minutes since October in the defeat to Ospreys on March 24, but speaking yesterday the 22-year-old insisted he isn’t interested in a move away from the province, even if only on a short-term loan. ‘I don’t see myself moving,’ he said. ‘I’m pretty happy in Leinster, to be honest. The coaches have good confidence in me.’ While Carbery has previously admitted that he sees outhalf as his best position, he has more often than not been used at fullback for Leinster this season, despite being the backup to first choice No10 Johnny Sexton with Ireland. With Sexton and Ross Byrne both ahead of him in the pecking order at Leinster, the recent announcement that fullback Rob Kearney had signed a new contract has only heightened the feeling that Carberry will continue to struggle for minutes on the pitch – particularly in the province’s biggest games. ‘I am very ambitious,’ he continued. ‘If I could be number one choice, I would be. Look, I can’t
be impatient. I’m pretty happy with where I am at the moment. ‘The teams [Ireland and Leinster] are winning. It’s not like we’re losing or not going well. I’m very happy to be where I am and I’m learning every day. ‘I can’t really complain with the Grand Slam medal either.’ Carbery also admitted that he believes Leinster have what it takes to follow up that success by winning both the Champions Cup and Pro14, adding that the squad are now in a better place to fight for titles after crashing out at the hands of the Welsh side in last season’s Pro12 semi-finals. ‘We’ve definitely got more appreciation for what it’s going to take to win. Having lost last year, that disappointment has really made us grow more. ‘We’ve got the bit between the teeth.’