Carbery ready to face Leinster in PRO14 final showdown

Joey Carbery of Munster during the Guinness PRO14 match between Munster and Scarlets at Thomond Park. Photo: Matt Browne/Sportsfile

Cian Tracey Twitter Email

March 24 2021 02:30 AM

Munster are set to call upon Joey Carbery for Saturday's PRO14 final against Leinster, as Johann van Graan weighs up whether or not to start the fit-again Ireland out-half.

Carbery missed last weekend's win over Benetton as his workload was managed following a year out with an ankle injury.

Since returning to action last month, Carbery has made two appearances off the bench, as well as starting his previous game a fortnight ago.

The 25-year-old will be desperate to start such a big game, particularly against his former team, and Van Graan admitted Carbery was relishing the prospect of leading Munster at the RDS.

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“We said we’ll look after Joey incredibly well, manage his workload,” the Munster head coach said.

“I think we have done so and fair play to Joey, he came off the bench against Cardiff, got some more minutes against Connacht and he started against the Scarlets.

“So, we’ll take the next step this weekend and whatever minutes Joey gets, we hope that he’ll perform. He’s very excited to get going on the weekend.”

Despite a Champions Cup clash with Toulouse to come next week, Munster are expected to name a full-strength team for Saturday’s final, as they aim to end their 10-year wait for a trophy.

“This is a first final that we’ve played in four years, so all of our focus has been only on Leinster,” Van Graan added.

“What happens next week, will happen next week. That’s the Champions Cup and for us it would be brilliant to come through Saturday, so all of our focus has only been on Leinster.”