'The beast keeps rolling on' - Joe McCarthy relishing latest New Zealand clash

He's not the freshest face in the camp but Joe McCarthy won’t be written off as an elder statesman just yet.

At 23 years of age, McCarthy is senior only to Sam Prendergast (21) from the full squad picked for the Autumn Nations Series, while training panellists Gus McCarthy (21) and Jack Boyle (22) also fit in that bracket.

Likely to earn a 13th cap against New Zealand on Friday, the Leinster lock is a firm favourite of head coach Andy Farrell.

He made his debut off the bench, aged 21, against Australia two years ago and won caps four and five during the World Cup, including an appearance off the bench as Ireland tried to fight back in the quarter-final against the All Blacks.

McCarthy, 6ft 6in and over 17stone, hasn’t been left out of a starting XV since, winning the player of the match nod in Ireland's brilliant away victory against France in February, and going the full 80 when Ireland pulled off a smash and grab against South Africa during the summer.

"I suppose there are younger and younger players coming in the whole time, but I'm still young enough," McCarthy said.

He may have gone under the radar somewhat before last season’s Six Nations but his impact since has meant he’s a marked man.

"I suppose every player feels like you always have to keep evolving your game," said the Manhattan-born second row.

"There's a quote: 'What gets you here won't get you there'.

"You're always trying to add simple things because the same things won't always work.

"Teams will scout you, what you're doing in the lineout, maybe if you're carrying well, you'll have a few more double shots, you notice that.

"You're always trying to add bits to your game, and little extra areas where you can add a difference."

"You see another guy in the team, with