Joe McCarthy excited by future after breakthrough 12 months

Joe McCarthy says there's a lot more to come from him after a breakthrough international season.

The 23-year-old played every game for Andy Farrell’s side in 2024 and has established himself as a first choice second row since the Rugby World Cup.

The Leinster lock isn't necessarily a rookie - Saturday’s win against Australia marked two years since his debut against the same opposition, but after his explosive Six Nations debut againt France in February, it feels as if McCarthy has finished his first full season in Test rugby.

"It has been unreal. I think I was involved in every game, it’s been huge," he said after Saturday's 22-19 win against Australia.

"Such an enjoyable season, so many good highs, winning the Six Nations, winning in South Africa, but it definitely feels like there is a lot more to come. A few games slipped away from us that we look back on with a bit of regret.

"They were all tough. No international games are easy, I've noticed that this year. The Argentina game at the end, holding them out for a few phases was up there. They're all tough but I was wrecked after that."

McCarthy admitted he was a relieved man when he had a TMO scare early on in Saturday’s win over the Wallabies, when his head-on-head tackle on Rob Valetini was checked on the big screen, but fortunately the force was deemed low enough that just a penalty was the sanction.

"I wasn’t sure to be honest because it happened so quick and I did feel a bit of head-on-head.

"I was a bit relieved but I wasn’t trying to hit him on the head or anything, it just happened in the moment," he added.

Ireland came from behind twice to eventually see off a stubborn Australian side, with Gus McCarthy’s try in the final eight minutes eventually getting them over the