Jack Crowley 'Deserves to Be Given the Nod' Against Scotland
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Loading... - Martisse Bertin
- 04 Feb 2025
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Former Ireland and Ulster centre Darren Cave has expressed his belief that Jack Crowley should start at out-half for Ireland in their upcoming match against Scotland. Crowley made a notable impact after replacing Leinster's Sam Prendergast during Ireland's opening Guinness Six Nations victory over England, contributing significantly to the team's performance.
In the match against England, Prendergast had helped Ireland secure a 13-10 lead before being substituted with 21 minutes remaining. Although he kicked a long-range penalty, he struggled with two conversion attempts. Crowley, on the other hand, showcased his skills during his cameo, successfully converting two tries and demonstrating effective kicking out of hand.
Cave noted that Crowley, who had started all nine games following Johnny Sexton’s retirement, lost his position to the younger Prendergast for the England clash. This ongoing competition for the out-half position is expected to be a topic of discussion for the foreseeable future.
"After the game, Jack will have been the happier of the two, no doubt," Cave commented on RTÉ’s Against the Head. He acknowledged that while Prendergast did not perform poorly, he would have wanted to deliver a stronger performance. Cave suggested that Crowley’s influence on the game warrants him being given the starting nod against Scotland.
He added, "When you come in and you influence a game like that, you deserve to be given the nod." However, he also anticipated that the coaching staff, including Simon Easterby, would likely reassure Prendergast that this decision is not a permanent change but rather a tactical choice for the upcoming match.
Cave also highlighted the impact of other players, such as Jack Conan, who made a significant contribution off the bench and should be considered for selection.
In addition, former Ireland captain Donal Lenihan weighed in on the potential for Tadhg Beirne to be moved to the back row. Beirne scored Ireland’s third try against England while playing in the second row, and Lenihan believes he is performing better in that position. He emphasized the importance of keeping Beirne in the second row due to his exceptional work rate.
The availability of Leinster lock Joe McCarthy will be assessed later this week, which could necessitate adjustments to the lineup. Lenihan noted, "Up front, we have Joe McCarthy and [prop] Tadhg Furlong; they haven’t been ruled out yet," indicating that the coaching staff faces some tough decisions ahead.
As Ireland prepares for their match against Scotland, the debate over the out-half position continues, with Jack Crowley emerging as a strong candidate to start. The dynamics within the team, including the potential adjustments to the forward pack, will be crucial as they aim to build on their successful start to the Six Nations.
