Ronan O'Gara: Suddenly, Jack Crowley is Ireland’s north star again

How does the Ireland management instil in the Munster ten the sense of belief that every player craves. You. Are. Our. Guy.

STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN: Ireland's Jack Crowley Tadhg Furlong at Dublin Airport prior to their departure to London for the Six Nations match against England. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

CRITIQUES are harsher, not by nature, by reality. I watched that Italy test match back and there were aching signs of a young lad all at sea. 

There are minimum test standards. I know what it’s like to be out there, stripped of belief and self-worth. I lost my confidence after 100 caps, but I had a pretty long career for ballast at a bad time. Sam Prendergast doesn’t have that sub-floor. He’s lost his bearings early and Ireland management has done him and his future a long-term favour by removing Sam from the cauldron of test rugby. Management hands are all over this. They need to be. There are discussions: what’s the best course to right this ship, intervention or brazen it out? When even the simple decision are complicated, extraction is the only remedy.