Ronan O'Gara joined Monday Night Rugby to reflect on the weekend's action and how Jack Carty can put pressure on Johnny Sexton for Ireland.
Inconsistency is a criticism that has been aimed at Jack Carty on occasion during his career.
O'Gara believes that solid consistency is all that is required following his record-breaking effort against Leinster in the PRO 14 at the weekend.
"The challenge now for Jack Carty is [that] against Ulster he was poor. Then he was at the complete other end of the spectrum against Leinster," O'Gara said.
"People are sitting up and taking notice of him now but for him to challenge Johnny for an Ireland jersey, that has to be consistent.
"He has a huge opportunity again this weekend because he will be in the shop window. Connacht host Munster in the Sportsground [...] so it's a massive opportunity for him to back up that performance.
"At test level, doing what he did last weekend gets you headlines, but you need to be able to do that consistently.
"He doesn't need Roy of the Rovers stuff, 15 points would be a good outcome this weekend. He's their main points accumulator.
One particular aspect of Carty's game against Leinster caught O'Gara's eye.
"He has been inconsistent off the tee but if he is to kick goals for Ireland under pressure, he has to be doing it at club level.
"It looked like he had great composure and control at the weekend."
Jack Carty like Finn Russell
O'Gara also identified a player Carty can look to for inspiration in reviving his international career.
"There are similarities, he could have a little look at Finn Russell they could be quite similar players," said the former Munster out-half.
"Jack plays very instinctively - there isn't a better player in the world that plays instinctively than Finn Russell.
"His attacking kicking game and his capacity to play at the line is really, really good and I see similar traits in Jack Carty and he has the capacity to do that.
"We saw him break into the World Cup squad and I think he has the talent. There are a lot of people in Connacht Rugby that are advising him now.
"Hopefully, he has turned a corner mentally to realise 'this is my time now. I need to kick on and put pressure on.'
"You don't get into Irish camps the first time you knock on the door, you have to play consistently, especially in the number ten jersey.
"He's putting in performances where everybody is going 'whoa, this is a different Jack Carty.'
"If he can do that consistently, he will be in the Irish squad."
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