Rte Sport

Connacht captain Jack Carty says he's "touch and go" for the start of the BTK United Rugby Championship next week.

"The thing that gets me excited is the younger players who came through the academy, it's 2015 or 2016 since we had a real strong core of younger guys who are hungry to get involved. "I think the main thing I've seen from a few of them - especially Peter [Dooley] - is how composed he is on the ball. "I think this time four years ago I was probably in a similar enough position, so that's the way I have it in my head. I'll have to see how the next seven days go, but I'll be there or thereabouts." "Unfortunately I had to make a decision, it was a tough one at the time with New Zealand potentially coming up, but I just thought for myself for the next couple of years it was best to get it done. "I'll be touch and go for the start of the season.