Rising Ireland star prepared to ‘fight’ RG Snyman for Leinster role

Burgeoning second-row Joe McCarthy is relishing the prospect of competing with incoming Springboks star RG Snyman for a place in Leinster’s first team.

The 22-year-old has arguably been the Dubliners’ outstanding lock over the past few weeks, continuing his fine form from the recent Rugby World Cup.

McCarthy excelled off the bench during Ireland’s quarter-final defeat to the All Blacks and has taken those performances back to his province.

Man of the match

He was named man of the match in the 9-3 victory over arch-rivals Munster and is doing his chances of starting in the Six Nations no harm.

However, his place for the big games will no doubt come under threat when Snyman joins ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Not that McCarthy is overly concerned, with the talented forward pleased that the “class” South African will be adding depth and quality to the Leinster squad.

“Yeah, there’s loads of competition now and he will add more, which is great,” he told reporters.

“It’s never good to be comfortable in your position. You always want to be fighting, that brings out the best in you.

“He’s a great player, I’m sure it will be very exciting to see. It’s a long way away obviously but he’s a class player so he should add a lot.”

McCarthy has been one of Leinster’s star performers over the last few weeks, with both his physicality and set-piece work standing out.

There is still plenty of growth left in his game, however, and the 22-year-old admits that he has a lot to learn.

“Yeah, every week I’m trying to get better. I’m still very young, I feel like I’ve loads to still improve on,” he said.

“I’ve been lucky I’ve got a few games in a row and that’s how you get better, playing loads of rugby. I’m loving playing at the moment so hopefully I can keep playing as much as I can.”

Praise from the head coach

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen was full of praise for McCarthy, not just for his displays on the field but also for his approach and work ethic in training.

“Joe is getting better all the time. But he works unbelievably hard at all aspects of his game,” Cullen said.

“He’s a great guy to work with. So he’s still what, 22 years of age? He’s going good.

“It was his type of game (against Munster) – in the trenches, which he loves, making a nuisance of himself!”

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