Sam Prendergast has been preferred over Jack Crowley as Ireland’s starting fly-half for the Six Nations clash against Scotland with Simon Easterby revealing the reasoning behind the decision.
The debate over who the starting number ten should be has been front and centre of the selection debate amongst fans and pundits this Six Nations with Prendergast getting the nod for the first two fixtures.
This is despite the outstanding cameo off the bench from Crowley in Ireland’s 27-22 victory over England in round one.
‘Disappointed’ Jack Crowley
The Munsterman was the go-to starter for Andy Farrell last year featuring in every single Six Nations match as well as their two Tests against the Springboks in South Africa.
However, Prendergast’s emergence shifted things in November and it’s the Leinster rookie who has now commanded the jersey in the first two Test matches of 2025.
Interim head coach Easterby has explained the reasoning behind the Leinster youngster earning back-to-back starts despite the strong showing from Crowley last time out.
“He was disappointed and so were a lot of other players that didn’t make either the starting XV or the bench,” Easterby said of Crowley.
“Keeping some continuity within selection was important, I do agree that Jack was good last weekend coming off the bench, the game had opened up a little bit and that was partly due to the way he played, playing the game in different areas of the pitch etc.
“He did add real quality when he came off the bench as did a lot of the other guys. We saw how important the start is but we also saw last weekend how important finishing the game is.”
Despite the disappointment of not making the starting XV, Easterby has praised Crowley’s attitude in training and how he has reacted to the decision.
“Jack is clearly disappointed but he’s an unbelievable person,” the coach continued.
“He has been so supportive despite his own disappointment and doesn’t allow that to reflect on the way he trained yesterday, the way he is around the camp and the way he is supporting Sam and the other players – he’s a great fella.”
Exposing Sam Prendergast
Easterby further explained that Ireland are attempting to develop both of their young fly-halves and Prendergast’s selection this week in what will be his first away start for the team is a key milestone for the playmaker.
Additionally, Crowley was exposed to those challenges last year after starting all of the matches in the Six Nations and now it’s Prendergast’s turn to gain that kind of experience.
“We are fortunate to have those two. Jack played all of last year, every game in the Six Nations, he had those experiences and we’re kind of in a position where we’re trying to grow both of them and grow Sam’s experiences not just home last week in a huge game for him but also now going away from home,” he said.
“We will see how he handles those types of experiences which is very different to last weekend.”
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/sam-prendergast-being-exposed-to-very-different-test-as-simon-easterby-explains-jack-crowley-snub
