21-05-2025
Rejuvenated Carbery proving a big hit in France
Sean O'Brien made an interesting revelation recently. The Tullow native is fondly remembered as one of the best backrow forwards to ever represent his province and country, carving out an illustrious career with Leinster and Ireland before retiring in 2022 following a short stint with London Irish.
O'Brien was on deck for many great days but it could have been very different because big-spending Toulon almost turned his head with a lucrative offer to move to the Top14 once upon a time.
'I remember years ago in 2013 myself and Jamie Heaslip actually went over to Toulon. It was actually funny because Toulon said they wanted two teams. They wanted one to compete in the Top 14 to win it and they wanted one to win Europe,' the former Leinster, Ireland and Lions flanker told the All About The Game podcast recently. Sean O'Brien in action for Leinster in 2013. Pic: INPHO/Ryan Byrne
'So we went over and I had actually signed a pre-contract with them because at the time I was on an IRFU contract but they were a***ing around with me. I thought my value was more than what I was on so I wanted a better contract and Jamie was roughly the same.
'So the two of us landed over to Toulon for a weekend. So they [IRFU] thought it was obviously a bit of a ploy but I was actually genuinely impressed when I went over there.
'The following Tuesday, (Mourad) Boudjellal the owner was meant to fly on his private plane into Dublin and I was meant to meet him at the airport with my agent and sign the contract but the weather was so bad he couldn't fly. Mourad Boudjellal. Pic:'On the Wednesday my agent got a call off the union basically saying they're going to give you what you wanted because they got wind of it.'
It was one of those sliding-doors moments. Brian O'Driscoll's brief flirtation with Biarritz is infamous. Not long ago, Tadhg Furlong was linked with a move to Bayonne, while Racing 92 were keen to secure Jack Conan's services earlier this season.
Big-name Irish players being linked with a move to France is nothing new. A few have made the leap. Johnny Sexton, Ian Madigan and Simon Zebo, to name a few. Johnny Sexton playing for Racing Metro 92 in 2013. Pic:But how many would look back at that chapter of their careers as a highlight? In truth, Trevor Brennan remains the great Irish success story in France. When mighty Toulouse announced that the hard-nosed Leinster lock would be making the switch, there was no shortage of raised eyebrows.
But Brennan became an icon at the club, helping them to numerous Heineken Cup and Top14 triumphs. He owned a bar in the town after retirements and his son, Joshua, is currently lining out alongside the likes of Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack in the iconic black and red jersey.
It's still early days in Joey Carbery's French journey, but there is a distinct feeling that the former Munster out-half could follow in Brennan's footsteps and thrive in his new surroundings. Trevor Brennan. Pic: INPHO/Billy Stickland
When Bordeaux came calling last year, Carbery couldn't resist the lure of a new challenge.
He was worn out — emotionally and physically — after so many injury-ravaged seasons at Thomond Park and when it became clear that he was no longer part of Andy Farrell's Ireland plans, a new adventure with an ambitious French heavyweight boasting a big budget and a stable of Test stars was too hard to resist.
Yes, it meant closing the door on his international ambitions but it's beginning to look like a shrewd career move for Carbery.
This week, the 29-year-old is preparing for a Champions Cup final in Cardiff with Bordeaux facing down Northampton at the Principality Stadium. Joey Carbery. Pic: Romain Perrocheau/AFP via Getty Images
Carbery is set to be on bench duty again. His presence in the squad has seemingly lit a fire under Matthieu Jalibert, the talented but sometimes flaky France out-half who has taken his game to a new level in recent months.
Carbery is playing second fiddle at Bordeaux but he has enjoyed plenty of exposure. He has played 17 games for his club this season, amassing almost 1,000 minutes on the pitch.
The youthful swagger seems to have returned as well, exemplified by his shush to the Ravenhill crowd after landing a touchline conversion in a big pool win against Ulster earlier in the campaign. Carbery had been copping it from the home fans for much of the game but the former Munster man made his point.
He is clearly enjoying life in the south of France, and why not? Playing in front of a giant pack with the sun on your back with Damian Penaud, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Yoram Moefana and Maxime Lucu for company in the backs. And he has Noel McNamara, the former Ireland U20s coach and a familiar face from home, running the team's attack. What's not to like? Joey Carbery. Pic:Who knows what the future will hold for Carbery. He is contracted with Bordeaux until the end of next season and it remains to be seen whether he will extend his stay in France or consider a return to Ireland to plot a late charge for inclusion in Farrell's plans before the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
'I'm really liking it,' he said recently. 'My wife and my son are getting on well and we're starting to get to grips with everything. The language is tough but we're slowly getting there.
'Bordeaux is a beautiful city and it's quite close to home so my wife and son can get home every now and again which is great… hopefully keep being involved, keep playing and see where we go.'
For now, he will focus on creating some history with Bordeaux as the ambitious club target a first-ever Champions Cup title. If Carbery helps his new club achieve that goal, he will join a small and exclusive club of Irish players who have thrived in this part of the world.
