ODDLY ENOUGH, THE reaction to a 21-year-old out-half getting his Six Nations debut for Ireland at home against England has been met with a slightly muted response.
Or perhaps ‘mixed’ is a better way to describe it.
Many fans wanted to see Munster’s Jack Crowley wearing Ireland’s number 10 shirt but Leinster man Prendergast has been given the nod to guide interim head coach Simon Easterby’s side in their championship opener.
Ireland have pointed out that both out-halves will have big roles to play in this Six Nations, with Crowley tasked with coming off the bench against the English.
But it’s the Kildare youngster who will lead Ireland from the off. Picking a 21-year-old in such a key position is what many Irish fans have been clamouring for in recent seasons but this decision hasn’t been to everyone’s delight.
What really matters is that Ireland believe that Prendergast can continue his fine form.
“He has shown his quality, first of all at 20s,” said Ireland skipper Caelan Doris after their captain’s run at the Aviva Stadium this morning.
“Some of the stuff he was capable of doing back then caught the eye definitely and he’s probably had quite a big reputation from that.
“He’s carried through and shown his quality at URC, at European level, and at international level in the autumn.
“It’s been a good ride for him and he’s a very confident guy and loves controlling the forwards, loves playing what’s in front of him, so there’s a lot of faith in him.”
One person who sees no issue with Ireland’s selection at out-half is Ronan O’Gara.
The legendary out-half believes Crowley is paying the price for his up-and-down form.
Speaking on Off the Ball today, O’Gara even warned that Crowley could fall out of the Irish matchday 23.
“The other side of it too, he’d want to be careful, he might find himself outside the 23 which happens sometimes with the number 10s, ” said O’Gara.
“This feeling sorry for himself, it’s fine for us to throw those ideas around but at the minute if there’s a bus getting off the deck, it’s him. He can easily go into the group of 30 to 45 who don’t play. It’s not ruthless at all, really, I don’t think.”
O’Gara, who once tried to sign Crowley for La Rochelle, feels the Cork man hasn’t kicked on from a “fantastic” 2024 Six Nations with Ireland.
“He had a South African tour and he opened the door for competitors to keep having bites, and then in November it was the same,” said O’Gara.
“I’m a big fan of his and I like what he stands for but you can’t do that. It’s confirmed by the announcement of the team to play England that in the management’s eyes, Sam is the better player.
“So Jack has to accept that and say, ‘OK, we’re not building for the future, we’re not looking at my number two’.
“He is number two. That was probably hard to take but if he takes good messages from that, replays every action in his head, ‘What will I do here, do I confirm what he’s done, where am I seeing the space?’
“Sam Prendergast has been exceptional for Leinster, Jack has been like a yo-yo for Munster and when you’re a yo-yo for Munster, you don’t get in the Irish team.”
Put any 10 behind the tight forwards munster put out and see how they go. It ain’t easy I’d imagine getting slow ball, on the back foot and trying to make things happen. Crowley has actually been one of munsters more consistent players. If he has to work on anything I’d say it’s his goal-kicking. Prendergast isn’t top class there either but is probably a bit more solid
@munsterman: if you’re going to be making claims then back them up with stats please. Prendergast is at 91% in the URC this season whereas Crowley is at 29% kick success. Check the URC website if you don’t believe me
@adizlack93: So easy to play any tune you like on the stats flute… So far, Jack Crowley has made 7 appearances in the URC and Sam P has 3. In the Champions cup there’s a single kick in the difference. 1 kick.
@Thesaltyurchin: Enjoy supporting Leinster for the next 7 weeks bud
@adizlack93: As a rugby addict I support all games, everywhere.
@Thesaltyurchin: then you should know 29% is not good enough for AIL let alone International rugby
@adizlack93: you’re worse with a comment like that
@anthony davoren: I couldnt care less what salty Munster fans say right about now. You have 1 player in the XV and he came through the Leinster academy. Id be raging too to
@adizlack93: Calm down dear, as I said, stats are easily cooked for the preference of ones argument. You seem an angry young man so I’m not keen on offending ‘your truth’
@Thesaltyurchin: 7 games in and a kicker has 29% ? Can you explain how I distorted that stat to support my case? Calm down? Im the one laughing at how enraged and easily
triggered everone from Munster is rn, especially yourself
@adizlack93: in fairness fella you do come across as being the lad that’s easily triggered on here
@adizlack93: too to. If ur point is about the other provinces improving their underage systems and structures in increase the number of quality players coming through then I’m 100% in agreement with u but iv been watching ire since 1993 and like any normal fan I couldn’t care less what provinces players come from once they do the job on Saturday and get us the win
@scott casey: Scott, I have no interest in genuinely discussing rugby with a bunch of online strangers. Im here for the laugh and the odd wind up if its on a plate, and since the teams announcement its been like shooting fish in a barrel…
@adizlack93: Laughing, crying… both? I’ve upset you now… I’m sorry lad, enjoy goading others, I won’t bother you again ;)
@adizlack93: to too
@Thesaltyurchin: bud I already told u yesterday to not take me seriously. Your reply ‘fair‘
@adizlack93: for a man or woman who is genuinely not interested in discussing rugby with a bunch of strangers you really went to a lot of effort looking up kicking stats to support ur point of view. Maybe deep down u really do want to talk to us?
@scott casey: DM’ed you X
@munsterman: They sure do
@munsterman: crowley stats for urc kicking 27% heiniken 77.8% same is way better in that regard
@Thesaltyurchin: no because you havent a clue
@adizlack93: excellent, my plan worked
@scott casey: I’ll show you what’s up me too to
@adizlack93: looks like I’m in for an interesting weekend, just need to find my viewing glasses
@David Clarke: So true
@David Clarke: So you’re the other account!… nice to meet you.
I don’t understand the talk of Crowley having a poor November series..
With Crowley
Ireland 13 NZ 12
Ireland 22 Arg 19
Ireland 7 Aus 0
Without Crowley
Ireland 0 NZ 11
Ireland 0 Arg 0
Ireland 15 Aus 19
@David Slattery: There is an argument that Crowley is Ireland most successful 10 in terms of trophies. Both Sexton AND Carberry had more titles, but both we’re playing from the bench rather than leading. Very close tho.
@David Slattery: This is the most ridiculous, overly simplistic attempt at a narrative I have seen yet. As if you can ignore a wide variety of contributing factors and boil it down to this. It’s just mind boggling.
@PJ Smith: What
@Thesaltyurchin: this is perhaps the most bizarre comment I’ve ever read on this platform, I’ll leave carbury aside because of his rough luck with injury playing a part in missing campaigns but let me break it down:
Crowley: 3 years into his career has one URC title, a Six Nations Title and a drawn series in South Africa
Sexton after a 17 year career had 4 six nations titles two of which were grand slams, 4 Triple Crowns, 6 Pro 14 titles, 4 Heineken Cup titles, 1 Challenge Cup title, 2 series wins in Australia 1 series win and 1 drawn in New Zealand and 1 series win in Argentina and 1 world player of the year award.
Even if you discount grand slams and triple crowns from counting even though they are trophies in their own right he still won more trophies per year as a percentage than Crowley has so far, if you want to throw Carburys trophies in now go for it seeing as that’s what you’re seemingly saying.
@Robert O’Connor: sorry one error Crowley is 4 years into his career and if you turn around and say I should add the 2023 slam and title to Crowley you specifically said “leading” and by that logic it balances out if you add the 2009 slam and title to Sexton as he was in the squad.
@Robert O’Connor: Apologies, I’ve mislead you… I didn’t mean ‘of all time’ I meant at 24. Where Sexton and Carberry had more Trophies, they were both second choice. But Yes, comparing any young player to a seasoned vet in terms of career achievements is ridiculous.
@Thesaltyurchin: ok thank you, very important qualifier there
Fair play ROG. He always tells it how it is.
@Marcus: Crowley already more successful than a 24 year old ROG (do appreciate how he calls it tho)
@Thesaltyurchin: true but that’s also true of Prendegast. Ahead of O’Gara AND Sexton at his age. They’re both good players… Irish management and the likes of ROG who all know a hell of a lot more than the likes of us commenting here all seem to think Prendegast is a better fit for this game. Well known more on Saturday evening. Come on Ireland!
@Marcus: They’re both potentially great players imo
@Thesaltyurchin: yeh just one starts and the other is on the bench
@adizlack93: such is life
@adizlack93: Just like Sexton, and RoG in their day,
@Thesaltyurchin: yeah and we’re lucky to have them both. First time for a long time that there’s been 2 out half’s of a similar age competing/available to be selected for Ireland. It can only be good.
@Marcus: It’s great really. My little shot across the bow there was direct at RoG, (of whom I’m also a fan).
@Thesaltyurchin: not really- ROG took over from Humphries and then Sexton took over from ROG. In both those cases it was a young up and coming player taking the no 1 spot from the established player with a bit of back and forth during the transition. Now, with Crowley and Prendegast we hopefully will have 2 great playmakers duelling it out for the guts of the next 10 years.
@Marcus: that should have been @adizlak93 not @saltyurchin
@Marcus: no it shouldn’t
Very surprised at ROG commenting. I consider it a very definite attempt to undermine the young man before MUN V LA ROCHELLE. At the present time he’d better off getting his own house in order. I have the greatest respect for him that’s why I am so disappointed at his comments
@Patrick Mc Inerney: did he say anything that was untrue? Then he has as much right to answer a question put to him as the next person.
@Patrick Mc Inerney: O’Gara was for once just spitting facts and telling the truth. Munster fans need to get over it.
@Carmine Lorenzo: He’s not wrong, “when you’re a yo-yo for Munster, you don’t get in the Irish team.”
@Patrick Mc Inerney: yes my thoughts. This adds spice to the La Rochelle match. Ireland shows no loyalty to Crowley for winning the 6 nations in the difficult year (away to England and France) nor for rescuing the Australia game in the Autumn. And no major controversy as most people know that Ireland operates on a Leinster first policy. It was always, only a matter of time for someone to start touting Frawley to replace Crowley in the 23 (thanks for that ROG – looking forward to April).
@Cormac McCarthy: ah, was Crowley single-handedly responsible for winning the 6N last year? That’s news to the nation. And to the rest of the Ireland team and organisation. Also, since when is loyalty the most important aspect of professional sport? That’s interesting, and again news to the nation. Keep dropping the knowledge bombs, we’re all ears!
@Patrick Mc Inerney: Yeah he needs to sort himself out, back to back Champions cups, what a clown!
@Carmine Lorenzo: no one player when’s a title but Crowley was certainly a very big part of Ireland winning the 6N last year (particularly his performance away in Marseille). He did also help rescue a woeful team performance against Australia, was the key player in the URC title win and is the current League player’s player of the season. On the whole, his form over the last two years has been pretty consistent. He’ll play a big part in this 6N too
@Carmine Lorenzo: I never said Crowley was single handed responsible for winning the 6nations in 2024. I am saying he played a significant part, filled the boots of a legend and covered a particular position that was deemed as irreplaceable. Team Loyalty is a trait that Farrell repeatedly touts, how he respects the players particularly ones who have delivered for the team. Crowley on his first season delivered. But no loyalty shown. Instead we are pushing a young man that is not as good as Crowley at the moment ( I cannot predict the future – though I suspect he will never be). We seem to select based on some visionary (who previously predicted that Harry Byrne was the coming one) while ignoring the person who is proven. Perhaps there is a darker (blue) motive at foot.
Not sure if he is number 2, I could see Jack starting v Scotland or France as Easterby rotates. AF probably wants 2 hungry outhalves competing to start all the way till RWC time
Crowley will be great option coming off the bench as he will have a point to prove .
Both are great
O’Gara putting the boot into Crowley there.
Saves you the hassle all the same eh! Day off like.
@Aidan Farrell: Not really. Just saying it as it is. Professional sport. No time for sentiment
If crowley played for leinster and prendergast for munster crowley would start.
@Ross Clancy: Noticed in the actual interview RoG says ‘a Munster 10 can’t make those mistakes’.. v true, but it is what it is, get on with it, cant be complaining, like some drunk Aussie ;)
Not sharing an opinion myself on Crowley, just highlighting that ROG’s comments here are almost the exact same as the ones he had on Carty in 2021/22. Like crazy similar.
He acknowledged on his day Carty is second only to Sexton, but that he’d take an outhalf who plays every week a 7/10, over an 8 or 9/10 outhalf who would have the odd 5 or 6 out of 10 performance. And that, for him, consistency and dependability are arguably more important than playing exceptionally well.
@David Hickey: if consistency at club was the formula, Ross Byrne would have been a test centurion by now.
@Brenda Collins: He would if ROG was selecting. During that Carbery, Carty, Burns, Byrne period he was consistently advocating for him because of it.
Maybe now their idol has stated it like it is, some Munster fans will be less outraged over Crowley being dropped. Prendergast has been the better player this season, simple as that and can’t be argued with. That said, I fully expect Prendergast to have a mixed outing throughout this 6N, as he’s 21. Crowley will come back in and start at least 2 games imo. Maybe even Frawley will come back into the mix. It’s great to have the options.
@Carmine Lorenzo: Course it can be argued with, this place is built for countering speculative opinion :)… Frawley’s a mad one, when was the last time he played? Is he able to get Ireland squad based on one drop goal? Doesn’t even need to play 10!
@Thesaltyurchin: Frawley….. He’s either the most unlucky man in the world or… I don’t know. What I do know is he’s quality. Started the season at 10, and brilliantly, then had to shift position to cover other injuries. Howler against NZ and now he’s the forgotten man lol. From an Irish perspective he’s really good (at 10 or 12) so hopefully he gets an opportunity to shine.
The post mortem on the Ire v Eng game will be fab…. If we win it will be interesting to hear on how Ireland started with SP and the introduction of JC from the bench….. on the other hand if we lose …..? I’ll just have to wait and see but I’m thinking it will not be a stroll in the park….. Eng will be up for this one they know if they win this their chances of winning the or even a GS are in their hands with the only other away game is Whales they have France / Scotland / Italy at home…. Ireland have to win this one our I see our chances of a treble gone…
@Den: Ya if we win they will still moan if we lose not worth thinking about
@Kevin: Kev they can moan away …. Loads of room for moaning English support …, just MT your pockets before the exit and leave your EUROS here you won’t need them where you’re returning to.
@Den: Lol. Either way, win or lose, Crowley and Munster are a winner! Very tight game alright hard to call. Here’s hoping all 23 IRISHMEN perform and give it a good rattle.
Prendergast is a very similar type player to ROG. Here’s hoping he’ll turn out to be as good.
@Mistral: I’m not saying that SP is better than ROG was cause it’s waaaay too early for that, but SP is much more dynamic than ROG was and plays more instinctive heads up attacking rugby. ROG was a master tactician with world class game management
@Mistral: lol. They are nothing alike? ROG was a masterful kicker. Prendergast’s point of difference so far seems to be his passing at the line. Crowley’s strength so far is his running and defence.
@Brenda Collins: Have you not seen Prendergast kick? From hand or off the deck.
@Brenda Collins: The main reason why SP is being picked (at least the reason I would), is because when the opportunity presents itself to hit the 5m line from a penalty kick, he will get you there more often than not. If your 10 gives your forwards the chance from 5m and you will win more games than you lose. He can also get you from 22 to 22 with a penalty kick, something few 10s and no others in Ireland can. Kicking from the tee is not as important as it was in ROGs day, but he still has a very high % success in that area too.
Both are good and will.do the job for Ireland. Remember Humphreys and oGara.who was the better.player.hard to know
@DavidSlattery you’re a fan of stats!!
Why is it assumed that Crowley will be tasked with coming off the bench. Is Prendergast not capable of 80 minutes if he’s going well.
@Jp Cleary: assumption based on JC’s stronger defence and the arrival of Chessum and Co later in the game perhaps?
@Jp Cleary: Crowley is covering 15 as well so it’s quite possible he’ll come in there
Discipline will play a big part in this game and which team manages it the best…. There’s so much riding on this result for both teams this is not a gentle introduction for neither Ire or Eng as an opener for the 6N.
Fair play ROG. Already starting the mind games with Munster pre Champions Cup. Sfa to do with crowley or 6N!!
Ties in with what James Tracey said the other week, 1 silly error like Ahern made at the end of the Munster game is far more damaging to your international chances than flashy play elsewhere. Makes sense in that 1 silly error in an international game is far more likely to be punished than in league. So, Crowley needs to be more consistent just like Frawley can’t drop 2 balls when he came on v NZ. Bealham lucky by the same count….