Former Ireland out-half reveals he could make shock switch to England

"I suppose I need to figure out where I am and what contracts are on the table"

The former Leinster and Munster out-half moved to Bordeaux at the start of the season, giving up his chance at playing for Ireland for the time being.

However, in a recent interview with Off the Ball, the 29-year-old revealed that he is open to the possibility of playing for England, for whom he qualifies through his mother.

World Rugby changed their international eligibility rules in 2022, allowing players to switch allegiances as long there has been a 36-month period from their last cap with their former country.

Given that Carbery last played for Ireland in November 2022, he becomes eligible for both England and New Zealand in just under nine months.

However, England do not pick players outside of the Guinness Premiership, and a potential international return would depend on what club he is playing for next season.

He said: “It’s something I haven’t given a huge amount of thought to purely because I won’t know until contract negotiation comes around maybe in a year’s time or even earlier than that.

“It’s tricky to know because actually through my mum, I’m English-qualified as well in November because it’s been three years since I played for Ireland.

“Look, I suppose I need to figure out where I am and what contracts are on the table and see where that brings me.

“If an English team comes looking then it makes it easier for me to slot into the Premiership because I’m English-qualified.

“If Bordeaux want to keep me then it’s going to be hard to say no because I’ve loved it so far and the team is so good.

“I’d love that of course [to play in France and internationally], and I see the likes of Jonny Gray playing in Bordeaux but then he’s playing for Scotland as well, so it’s a nice mix between the two.

“I know that doesn’t happen in Ireland. But if the opportunity came around, I definitely would.”

Carbery has played 11 times for Bordeaux this season. The club achieved the best record of any team in the Champions Cup pool stages, and sit atop the Top 14 table.