Brian O'Driscoll joined Off The Ball on Thursday to look at the Ireland out-half situation behind Johnny Sexton ahead of the return of rugby in Ireland this weekend.
With the latest injury to Joey Carbery, O'Driscoll looked at who else could challenge Johnny Sexton for the Ireland shirt.
"We wish Joey well and hope he returns to his previous form," said the former Ireland captain.
"Not only is it a problem for Munster, it's not good for Ireland. You look at our other tens and the level of experience that they have.
"We've Johnny Sexton at 35 years of age, Jack Carty, it didn't happen for him at the World Cup and struggled with his province after that.
"Billy Burns is uncapped, then Ian Madigan coming back in having been away from the international setup for a while.
"Ross Byrne has limited international experience. Harry Byrne has lots of talent and potential.
"Back-up for Johnny Sexton and pressure on Johnny Sexton to displace him is what we thought Joey Carberry was going to provide.
"Especially after the World Cup, but it just hasn't materialised because of a bad run of luck."
With Ian Madigan returning to Ireland, the door could be ajar, but O'Driscoll thinks it will not be straightforward.
"I've played with Ian Madigan and I'm an Ian Madigan fan but he's coming into a new environment," said the former Leinster centre.
"They've given him a one-year contract, so straight away he has to hit the ground running to try impress. Whatever about trying to get back playing for Ireland, he's also thinking about his livelihood next year.
"There will be a pecking order, I wouldn't imagine Dan McFarland will be throwing Ian Madigan in immediately.
"It's 2016 since he was in a green jersey. Sides move on and it's hard for those that have been in the shadows for a number of years.
With an eye on the future and the training squad Ireland picked. The clues to Sexton's successor could already be apparent.
"Looking at the other possibilities coming through, you've got to read between the lines with Andy Farrell's selection of Harry Byrne in the Six Nations set up for training purposes," surmised O'Driscoll.
"You have to imagine he's going to become a firm favourite of Andy Farrell's. Maybe it's time to blood one of these younger guys and get them game time and get them the experience if they are going to be the ones to take this team forward to France in 2023."
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