Former Ireland and Connacht fullback Gavin Duffy joined Off The Ball to discuss Jack Carty and Ireland.
Ireland's playing style has changed. Against New Zealand, Japan and Argentina, they played more expansive, attacking rugby than before.
Andy Friend's Connacht have been playing that style of rugby for a while. Jack Carty has been playing that style of rugby for a while. But despite those similarities, Connacht's only consistent player for Ireland is Bundee Aki. Jack Carty hopes to change that in next year's Six Nations.
With Joey Carbery injured again, there is an opportunity to play behind Jonathan Sexton in the Ireland squad.
Gavin Duffy believes that Carty is in a position to return to the Ireland team now.
"If Ireland want to continue on the way they played against New Zealand, Japan and Argentina, Jack Carty slots in," Duffy said.
"It's exactly how Connacht play. Fast, high-tempo, a decision-maker on the ball. A decision-maker in terms of when he gets the ball he'll have two or three runners off him running a flat line and he'll have an option behind them. He can pull it out from behind those two or three runners and attack a little bit wider out."
Speaking after Connacht's bonus-point loss to Leicester in Europe, Duffy expanded on how Carty is capable of adjusting on the fly against aggressive defences.
"You need someone who looks like he has time on the ball but also can make those good decisions. Is he giving a two-yard pass, a five-yard pass or a pass back behind those lads to get the ball wider. Jack has all that in his armory. He's proven that now over the last couple of seasons and particularly again this year, he's gone up another level.
"He can play that passing, running game that Ireland look like they want to continue to develop over the next coming weeks and months."
Carty kicked a drop goal at the end of the game to secure the bonus point. But he also had one notable miscue when he kicked the ball dead from deep when he was searching for the sideline. He attempted more than one 50-22 that didn't quite come off too. It must be noted, the conditions were tough.
Duffy sees the kicking game as Carty's biggest remaining obstacle.
"The biggest question mark over Jack is still his kicking game. As good and all as it is, there are still a few flaws in it."
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