Dec 01,2024
When Jack Crowley addressed the media on Tuesday afternoon, the assumption in the room was that the Munster out-half would be restored to the starting line-up this weekend, for Ireland's final Test of 2024.
That assumption was born from the usual trends of media gigs in the week of a game. For the most part, if they’re sitting at a trestle table with a microphone in front of them, more often than not it’s a good sign.
It’s not an exact science, and there was one player this year who was put forward on a Tuesday, only to be dropped from the squad entirely when the team was revealed later in the week, but given the week that was in it, the signs were that Crowley would be back in the 10 shirt this afternoon against the Wallabies, after Sam Prendergast had worn it last week.
The 24-year-old sat out last week’s win against Fiji, having started each of the previous nine games, helping Ireland win a Six Nations and also secure a drawn series down in South Africa.
Andy Farrell wouldn’t have named his team to the squad until Wednesday this week, but the likelihood is that when Crowley was fielding questions on Tuesday about coming back into the side this weekend, he would likely have predicted Prendergast was getting the start, based on their reps in training.
In a game designed for all shapes and sizes, no position gets more attention than out-half, as illustrated by the last three weeks in Irish rugby discourse, with the debate raging over who of Crowley, Prendergast and Ciarán Frawley will be Farrell’s long-term option in the 10 shirt.
"I think obviously now there is a lot of attention on it but ye all know as much as I do, that magnitude of the number 10 jersey has been in the history of Ireland as long as you can remember," Crowley said of the outside noise.
The debate has been there right across the last 30 years, you just have to change the names. Once it was Elwood or Humphreys, and then it was Humpreys or O’Gara, before that became O’Gara or Sexton.
"Obviously nowadays there is a lot more attention on it, but I think that’s to the respect of the lads that have gone before.
"They have put that jersey in such a high place, it’s for the rest of us to go and fulfill that and take it to somewhere special.
"I know if you look back there is a lot of past history, 150 years of the IRFU this year, there have been a lot of great tens that have gone by as well," Crowley added.
It’s no exaggeration to say that this week’s team news has split the Irish rugby community in two, even if most of those opinions have been formed by the provincial borders.
One take that has become prevalent is that Farrell has swiftly binned Crowley and Frawley, and anointed Prendergast ahead of schedule, but the reality is that all three – and maybe even some other prospects – will have a lot to say about the future of the 10 jersey before the end of this World Cup cycle.
And even if this week’s selection came as blow to the Munster man, he’s the first to point out that competition for places will only benefit Irish rugby.
"It’s a sign of a good thing.
"It means Ireland rugby is going in the right way of there is that turbulence and resistance around it, it means we are going to places that require that level of noise and that’s something that us as a group are very respectful of. It all becomes part of it.
"If you ask any of the three of us we would all ask and want the same and I’m sure there’s many other lads around the country who would be very eager to bite your hand off for that question.
"So, there is massive amount of competition around the place and hopefully it will push us to become better."
This afternoon’s opposition, Australia, can provide a timely reminder to Crowley about just how quickly the doors of international rugby can slide.
When Ireland faced the Wallabies in November 2022, the Corkman was set to earn just his second cap off the bench, before Johnny Sexton pulled up injured in the warm-up, and Crowley had to wear the Ireland captain’s shirt – both figuratively and literally.
While Sexton is now retired, the former Ireland and Leinster skipper is still involved, brought back in as a part-time coach this month, working closely with the three Irish out-halves.
"He has been brilliant for us. Its not just for us as tens, but if there are any questions around any areas of the game, because he’s been with us in this group recently and he is very familiar with the running of things so he’s been brilliant for us in terms of all areas of kicking, to the tactical, technical and stuff. He’s been excellent.
"He’s one of the best. To have him in the group to be able to add to us is something special."
