LOTS OF PEOPLE didn’t get the showdown they wanted at Thomond Park just after Christmas but Jack Crowley and Sam Prendergast will almost certainly go head-to-head at some stage today in Portugal.
After a relatively light couple of sessions since arriving on Wednesday, Ireland will ramp things up with a heavy training day today. Given that they have 36 bodies in Quinta do Lago, there will surely be 15-on-15 elements in their pitch session.
All we know about this Ireland set-up is that these training sessions are very important to the coaching staff. Andy Farrell might be away but his assistants will be upholding the same demands regarding players being on point in training. The reality is that a session like today’s matters more than some provincial games.
Interim head coach Simon Easterby and co. have probably picked their side for the England game next Saturday already but today is still crucial for all involved.
Even mentioning a head-to-head between Prendergast and Crowley is enough to send some people into a frenzy these days. The ever-growing toxicity in the debate about Ireland’s number 10 shirt is sad to witness and while most of it takes place on social media, it has spilled into real life.
What is being glossed over in the discussion is the happy reality that Ireland have two cracking options at out-half and that’s even before you consider Ciarán Frawley. Let’s not forget that he had the composure to land two brilliant drop goals, with a brave grubber kick in between, to guide Ireland to one of their greatest wins only six months ago.
But Prendergast and Crowley appear to be further up the pecking order. Everyone has their own opinion about the number one slot.
Crowley turned 25 last week but he has already been the starting out-half for an Ireland side that claimed a Six Nations title. He has shown his toughness time and time again, including in Ireland’s first post-Johnny Sexton game in 2024. Crowley was excellent in Marseille as Ireland beat France to launch that Six Nations in style.
His most recent outing for Ireland was an excellent one, with Crowley’s impact off the bench against Australia in November helping them to overcome a stubborn, well-prepared Wallabies team. It was an ideal ending to what must have been a challenging month.
Crowley’s last game for Munster also underlined what he’s all about as he nearly guided his province to a brilliant win in Northampton last weekend. Crowley showed his individual running skill throughout, kicked brilliantly, and seemed to be magnificently in flow for the entire game. As ever, his defence remains a point of difference.
As for Prendergast, his outrageous moments of x-factor skill and passing range are obvious points of difference.
He must feel he brought rhythm back into Ireland camp after getting his first two Test starts in the last two games of the November campaign. It has been clear for a while how highly the Irish coaches rate the Leinster man, who has been impressive for his province since the autumn.
We’ve seen examples of Prendergast’s speed, kicking range, ability to immediately recover from errors, and increased defensive application as Leinster have continued to win all of their games.
While some fans are intent on talking Prendergast’s ability down, it’s worth pointing out how remarkable it is for a 21-year-old out-half to be starting Tests for one of the leading nations and starting the biggest games for one of the best club sides around. This doesn’t happen often and certainly not in Irish rugby.
As the most recent Ireland game against Australia showed, both of these talented out-halves have roles to play. They will push each other to keep getting better.
Overseeing their ongoing development is none other than Sexton, who is with Ireland at their training camp in Portugal. Sexton’s presence in Quinta do Lago is perhaps an indication that he will have more involvement with Ireland in this Six Nations campaign, having only visited their November camp briefly each week.
With Farrell away, it would make sense for Sexton to take more responsibility and we know that the legendary out-half had a major influence on Ireland’s attack – the area Farrell leads – when he was wearing the number 10 shirt.
A big part of Sexton’s remit is to work with the out-halves in Ireland’s squad. The man himself voiced his concerns about a swift return to coaching Irish players after his retirement from playing, his concern being that he would know them too well.
Farrell convinced Sexton to look beyond that worry and the Irish players have spoken glowingly of his influence so far.
One of the points that Sexton himself might make to Prendergast and Crowley is that they need to continue being themselves. Every out-half in the world can learn from Sexton’s amazing body of work and the skillsets that made him world-class, but Crowley and Prendergast have unique strengths.
Crowley can beat defenders in a way Sexton didn’t, while Prendergast’s moments of magic weren’t a Sexton calling card. One hopes that what makes Prendergast and Crowley unique always remains to the fore.
Sexton knows well what it’s like to be in a battle for the number 10 shirt, having been locked in an intense rivalry with Ronan O’Gara for years. He knows the pitfalls of over-obsessing about the competition but also how it can drive you to new heights.
But in the latter years of his career, Sexton didn’t have any genuine rivals. His place was never under threat and the gap to the second-in-line often seemed gigantic. There were relentless worries about Ireland not having another viable contender at out-half.
Happily, that’s far from the case with Ireland now. Sure, none of the current out-halves is at the level Sexton attained but having such strong options so soon after the great man’s retirement is a good place to be.
It seems likely that Prendergast and Crowley, and perhaps Frawley too, will have important parts to play if Ireland are to make it a historic third Six Nations title in a row.
Great article Murray. Both excellent 10s and the great thing is that they have different skill sets and post different challenges to opposition. Both are great to watch and I’ll declare I’m an 18 year Leinster ST holder all the way back to Felipe.
Anyone espousing toxicity towards either is NOT a rugby supporter, should deal with whatever issues going on in their own world.
@Mark Kearney: Well said Mark
@Mark Kearney: Thank god most wont on here
@Seanie: be on here
@Mark Kearney: well said
@Mark Kearney: will there be a 3rd name in the mix before WC27? There are big hopes for Caspar Gabriel also.
@Mark Kearney: Absolutely, this can only be good for Ireland. Two young quality 10s, we’ve never really had this before, often a young and old combination. I’m from Munster, I’d actually like to see how Prendergast goes in a big 6 Nations game. You’ll likely see these two take the jersey off each other before the next world cup. Could very well see them play together too. Saw what Crowley did as a second or even third playmaker. Both excellent 10s, very exciting prospects!!
@John Morris: 2027 might come a season to soon for him. By all accounts Sam Wisniewski showed him up in the recent Ire U20 v Leinster A.
Great article again Murray, a lot of balance in it compared to the one sided narrative being peddled by Rory and Cian in the Indo.
Great to have 2 top 10′s can only improve ireland
@Seanie: Competition always good, and hopefully managed that both their strengths are maximised. Besides the obvious overlaps of the 10 jersey ie. Elwood – Humphries – O’Gara – Sexton, the last time I remember having two 10′s battling it out was Campbell, Ward and Dean.
Hopefully Prendergast and Crowley have big roles in this year’s 6N’s.
@Kevin Dillon: its all good kevin
I’d tend to fancy JC more in a tight game and SP in a looser game. I wonder if there is merit in JC starting with SP coming on later when defences are tired etc. He does a lot of his X factor stuff later on in games ( not a criticism by the way) see for example Bristol away.
@Jack Kirwan: I think I’d rather Crowley closing out games. It’s hard to know but it’s a great dilemma to have
@anthony davoren: I suppose it does depend if you are guarding a lead or chasing. In fairness JC was pretty good when chasing v Northampton last week. As you say, hard to know.
@Jack Kirwan: Crowley also took over and chased down Australia in the Autumn.
Well balanced, objective article. I shouldn’t be surprised. Forget the social media rubbish nitwits, they’ve nothing original to offer.
Crowley to get Eng and France games , SP to get the rest but I’m only guessing
I wonder if the over reliance on sexton for last RWC still haunts AF
@Adrian Breen: course it does, Farrell didn’t have the liathróidí to take off Sexton
@Adrian Breen: Crowley probably get Scotland away as well I’d say.
@anthony davoren: it would be fun to watch Finn Russell v Sam P though
@Jack Kirwan: Didn’t they only play each other last week.
@Liam23: Absolutely agree. Was obvious Sexton was out on his feet for at least last 15 mins ( understandably)when chasing game. As Leo would say ” it’s the learnings “…
It’s an interesting selection call alright. No matter how you want to dress it up, Crowley has been mediocre all season. Bar last weekend, he’s not played well and his kicking is well off. Prendergast was decent, and not spectacular, in Leinster’s two European games this month. I think Easterby will go with Crowley next weekend.
@Carmine Lorenzo: don’t entirely agree with you. Yes, that was JC’s best game of the season last week but he was also very good v Sarries week b4 and he’s had a lot of good moments (e.g. 1st half v ARG or sub role v AUS). I think more accurate to say he’s been less consistent this season both from game to game but also within games
@Michael Corkery: Yeah he’s always been inconsistent in games for me. Can disappear for spells. He was playing better last season for me but think I’d give him the nod next weekend.
Its hard to say, one is involved in everything the other is still very much a stand off 10, they have different work ethics.. do more ‘things’ more goes wrong, Crowley is a leader at Munster Sam isn’t at Leinster, because they are vastly different teams how that translates to international is maybe the point. It’s been talked up so much at this stage I think it’ll be Sam Prendergasts jersey to lose, makes sense to have Crowley bench as the new versatile sub.
@Thesaltyurchin: Agree both bring different things to the table, and they are both young and still developing their skill set. That said think SP playing with and surrounded by a strong team brings with it greater opportunities for him that other OH’s don’t get…so might not be a fair comparison. But JC’s experience of 6n may be the deciding factor at this point.
@Thesaltyurchin: I think this is a fair comment. You would want Crowley when things start to get ugly as he is a tough competitive player who will always find a little bit extra within. Sam hasn’t had to go there yet and therefore we don’t know if he has it in him. However, when you look at all of the measurable qualities – kicking from hand (distance & accuracy), kicking off the tee, passing, timing, game management and D – I think Crowley is clearly ahead on defence but I cannot see him clearly ahead on any of the other qualities where Sam is clearly ahead when it comes to kicking and passing.
“While some fans are intent on talking Prendergast’s ability down” – You all know who you are ;)