Andy Farrell: Joe McCarthy has 'earned the right' for his debut

Andy Farrell says Joe McCarthy's potential Test debut this week is a just reward for his work in recent months.

The 21-year-old has shot to prominence in the last year, making his Leinster debut in January off the back of his form for Dublin University in the All Ireland League, before touring New Zealand with Ireland during the summer.

And after he featured for an Ireland XV against the Maori All Blacks, as well as playing for Ireland A in their defeat to an All Black XV a fortnight ago, the second row will now win his first Test cap off the bench in Saturday's final Bank of Ireland Nations Series game against Australia.

McCarthy missed out on a potential first cap last week, having had to follow the return to play protocols for a head injury picked up while playing for Ireland A, and Farrell says he has full faith in the lock to make an impact off the bench this week.

"He's grown in many areas. He's obviously got a point of difference, and it's not just his size [6'7], it's his energy, it's his want to have big moments within the game," Farrell said.

"He's grown in all areas, and it's been great to take him on tour, and then Emerging Ireland. He didn't get much of an opportunity with the 'A' game, and he's been out of camp for a week, but he's earned the right to have a crack and show us what he's learned.

"It's not going to be perfect for him, but the bits we've been talking about over the last few months, we want to see improvement on that. He's a doer, Joe. He likes to get amongst it and get stuck in, so he won't shy away from the occasion, that's for sure. We're excited with what he'll bring off the bench."

With Joey Carbery suffering a head injury last week, Farrell has also handed an opportunity among the replacements