Nov 26,2024
Gus McCarthy probably didn't dare dream of how well his Ireland debut would go.
The former U20 captain was initially included as a 'training panellist’ in Andy Farrell’s Autumn Nations Series squad but was thrust into the action for last weekend’s 52-17 win over Fiji, getting a start at hooker.
Various injuries resulted in the 20-year-old Leinster man going the full 80, a rare enough occurrence for front-row forwards.
He even ended up packing down on the openside for a scrum after Rónan Kelleher came on for Bundee Aki late on.
In total, he had a hand in six tries, directly assisting three, and coming up with the ball following the maul that led to Ireland’s fifth.
A few lineout throws went astray, "quite harsh", he reckoned, but the ability to quickly move on and focus on the next play made his first taste of senior international rugby even more impressive.
"A brilliant job," was Andy Farrell's summation.
"It’s a day I’ll cherish forever," said the Dubliner, who shed a few tears during the national anthem.
"I was delighted just to stay on there for as long as possible and relish the experience.
"There are incredible memories of the day
"I was pretty emotional just ‘cos it’s always been a dream of mine growing up.
"I’ve always come to the games and sang the anthems.
"It was just a really, really proud moment, not only for myself, but more thinking of my family and the journey to get to there."
On his full-court press performance, McCarthy said: "Growing up I've always played with the ball, like rugby ball in hands, always messing around with mates, whether it be at school or in the garden or at home.
"I'd just...credit, like my attacking, you know, see where the space is, and kind of scan up.
"That is something I have to keep working on. Faz is massive on scanning early so that is something I have to keep working on. I was kind of happy.
"There's a few chances that I saw an opportunity to give it early."
While McCarthy, who played five times for Leinster and twice for Emerging Ireland this season, was parachuted into the firing line, he knows he faces stiff competition for starting green and blue jerseys.
"As well as Dan [Sheehan] and Rónan, there’s two other great hookers in John McKee and Lee Barron at Leinster, so I’m still competing with a lot," said McCarthy speaking before he was due to sing a "terrible rendition" of Katie Perry's Firework in front of the squad as his debut song.
"With the five of us it’s very competitive, anyone can step up and perform, as we’ve seen with the lads in the last few years.
"So, I’ve just said to myself or when I’m speaking to my parents, and my dad especially, any opportunity I get I have to try and take it.
"I can’t wait around, especially in training. I just have to try and put my best foot forward and impress the coaches when I get a chance."
Still in the academy, McCarthy's fight with the other four number 2s was brought up with Leinster boss Leo Cullen. Similar to the logjam at out-half, where there are four men fighting for one jersey, the hooker spot is hotly contested.
But Cullen reckons talk of spreading the talent around to other provinces isn't in his club's interest.
He said: "You think back to pre-season and everyone is jostling for position.
"Gus would be a good example, fighting it out with two other senior hookers and gets the nod for round one and he kicks on from there, comes back from [the Emerging Ireland tour to] South Africa. Brilliant.
"We have our squad and we go about doing our business the way we do.
"We have guys who want to be here, making sure that they have every opportunity to progress. We have seen that with Gus and you can go on about the 10s as well.
"If they want to be the top dog playing for Ireland you have to bring that competition on. I think our guys are pretty smart. They will figure it out themselves."
