It takes a bit of luck to get your just rewards sometimes. Jack Carty had to fight his way into Joe Schmidt's plans in the last 12 months, and got onto the plane to Japan as the third choice out-half behind Johnny Sexton and Joey Carbery.
With Sexton struggling with injury and Carbery on his way back, Carty got his chance off the bench against Scotland, and from the start today against Japan. It's fair to say he's taken his chance. Suddenly, the Connacht out-half is lighting up the Rugby World Cup.
Carty, as Connacht fans will know, has exceptional ball skills, and is confident enough to try things on the field. His swashbuckling style hasn't been stifled by playing for Ireland under Joe Schmidt, and evidenced by his first half performance today.
Carty's quick thinking, tendency to try the audacious and his skill in executing it, where the key to Ireland's two first half tries.
This Ireland try was pure Roscommon filthpic.twitter.com/95JilOJOOm
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) September 28, 2019
21: TRY Ireland!
Rob Kearney, via a TMO review, crosses for Ireland's second try and Joe Schmidt's men lead by 9!
LIVE now on eir sport 1! #RWC2019 #JPNvIRE pic.twitter.com/PGokmSWVJ3— eir Sport (@eirSport) September 28, 2019
Another inch perfect crossfield kick to Keith Earls followed and produced another potent Ireland attack. While Japan's outstanding performance dominated the latter stages of the first half, Carty's early performance ensured Ireland went into the dressing room with the lead.
Watching on, Irish fans were equally impressed by the skills of the Roscommon man.
Oh yes we like Jack Carty 🇮🇪
— David Flatman (@davidflatman) September 28, 2019
Jack Carty's Gaelic football skills being complimented as his aerial tip-down led to Rob Kearney try. He's having a stormer! #rugbyworldcup2019
— RoscommonGAALegends (@RosLegends) September 28, 2019
Jack Carty when he hears the words "Advantage Green..." #JPNvIRE pic.twitter.com/n04ihREkBg
— Neil Treacy (@neil_treacy) September 28, 2019
📊| Jack Carty’s 1st half performance so far
5 kicks from hand 🦶
2 try assists 📞
2 points 🎯
Controlling this game 👏 #JAPvIRE #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/p5pcRNplwV— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) September 28, 2019
Jack Carty has been phenomenal. If he continues like this we need to at least dicuss the possibility of the Connacht man becoming Sexton's first choice back-up.
— Aonghus Ó Maicín (@AonghusOMaicin) September 28, 2019
