I play best with a smile – Ireland’s Jack Carty back in love with rugby

Recalled Ireland fly-half Jack Carty says he no longer feels the weight of the world on his shoulders as he nears the end of his international exile.

In-form Carty is in contention for his first Test action since the 2019 World Cup after being included in Andy Farrell’s 37-man squad for the Guinness Six Nations.

The 29-year-old, who admits he struggled to perform on his return from the global tournament in Japan, has been a standout performer for Connacht this season, including topping the individual points table in the United Rugby Championship.

Having rediscovered his love for the game, he is ready to compete with captain Johnny Sexton and Joey Carbery for the Irish number 10 jersey.

“Initially when I did come back from the World Cup, my form wasn’t good enough to warrant selection,” he said.

“Previously I was so hell-bent on getting to that end goal that maybe off the field I was probably a disaster to be around at times.

“I think when I play best it’s when I have a smile on my face. If I can set up things off the field to be in a place where they need to be, it enables me to excel and do what I want on the pitch.

“When I was playing rugby for many years I probably looked like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders, whereas now I really enjoy what I’m doing.

“I am enjoying this new environment, it’s been brilliant, the lads have been really welcoming.”

Carty, who is with Ireland at a pre-tournament training camp in Portugal, won each of his previous 10 caps in 2019 under former head coach Joe Schmidt.

He received a late call-up from Farrell in November after Sexton was ruled out of Ireland’s final autumn international but did not make the match-day squad for the win over Argentina.

Ireland begin the Six Nations