Ireland hooker Gus McCarthy believes competition for places at Leinster is helping him develop as a player.
The 21-year-old won his fifth Test cap in his side’s 34-5 win over Georgia in Tbilisi last week having made his debut against Fiji in November.
With British and Irish Lions Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher ahead of him in the pecking order at Leinster, McCarthy played just three times for his province between the end of the Six Nations and conclusion of the domestic season in June.
“I haven’t played a huge amount. I didn’t really get involved in the URC knock-out matches or the latter end of the Champions Cup,” said McCarthy.
“I did get quite a bit of game-time in the middle of the season. It’s great to learn from the best, some seriously good talent.
“The competition is endless, it’s constant competition which keeps you on your toes. It’s very positive.”
Ireland will conclude their two-Test summer tour against Portugal in Lisbon on Saturday (19:00 BST).
The trip is being lead by usual forwards coach Paul O’Connell and an interim ticket of assistants with Andy Farrell and 16 members of his playing panel on tour in Australia with the Lions.
“Portugal are a very, very attacking and dangerous side. We’ve watched a lot of them. They aren’t to be taken lightly,” McCarthy added.
“We’re going to put a lot of prep in and make sure we’re all guns loaded for Saturday. We’re really, really looking forward to the challenge.”
