Joey Carbery feels confident after show of faith by Andy Farrell

Joey Carbery says he's gained huge confidence from the show of faith put in him by Ireland head coach Andy Farrell.

The Munster out-half was given his first Guinness Six Nations start last Saturday against France following a hamstring injury to Johnny Sexton.

Carbery had supplemented Sexton on the bench in the Round 1 meeting with Wales, in what was his first appearance since December.

The 26-year-old suffered a fractured elbow in Munster's Heineken Champions Cup pool game against Wasps on 12 December, which kept him out for eight weeks, and despite Connacht's Jack Carty impressing during that period, it was the Munster man who was preferred by Farrell in the matchday squad, despite his lack of game time.

"Definitely, it's great for my confidence knowing the head coach fully believes in you," said Carbery, who was speaking at the launch of the Tackle Your Feelings #ImTakingControl campaign.

"I'm very grateful he backs me and it's a nice feeling, especially going out there in a tough environment like Saturday, and it's very reassuring to know I've got the full backing behind me."

All eyes were on Carbery in Paris, as he stepped into the boots of Ireland's injured captain Sexton. And while Ireland were ultimately beaten, his performance was roundly praised, kicking four out of four off the tee and linking play well.

He was also busy in defence with France targeting his channel, and he says he's pleased on a personal level with the way he acquitted himself.

"I missed one or two (tackles), but was happy enough.

"We'd viewed them and had a look beforehand and knew it as one of the channels they were going to target because they have a few very good ball carriers.

"I was happy with my goal-kicking. I think the first half we probably