Future still bright for Carbery despite 'rough patch' - Ian Keatley

Ian Keatley says Joey Carbery needs to stay patient in his bid to get back into the Munster first team.

The 27-year-old has endured a difficult season with both province and Ireland.

Having started the campaign as first-choice out-half for Munster and second in command to Johnny Sexton on the international circuit, Carbery found himself dropped by Irish coach Andy Farrell for the Six Nations, while in recent weeks he's seen Jack Crowley leapfrog him into the starting shirt at Munster.

On Saturday, the Ireland international was out of the matchday squad for Munster's must-win game against the Stormers in Cape Town, with Crowley and replacement Ben Healy helping Graham Rowntree's side to a vital 26-24 win.

The province are still in South Africa this week, returning to Durban for a rematch with the Sharks, after their Champions Cup defeat to Neil Powell's side three weeks ago.

And former Munster out-half Keatley believes Rowntree will stick with the Crowley-Healy selections that were justified against the Stormers.

"I can't really see Joey getting back in for this week, you'd think he'll stick with the same team, as that's what got them here," Keatley told the RTÉ Rugby podcast.

"I'd say they'll play quite similarly to how they played against the Stormers, they just didn't do that against the Sharks in the first match. It will be a similar enough gameplan."

The UL Bohs boss says while Carbery has struggled to find his top form this season, it's been exacerbated by inconsistent performances as a team.

"He's just going through a little rough patch. The form of Munster probably didn't help Joey as well, and it goes hand in hand, Joey lost a bit of confidence."

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