Jack Crowley in for first start after calf injury for Johnny Sexton

19 November 2022; Ireland head coach Andy Farrell with Jack Crowley of Ireland during the Bank of Ireland Nations Series match between Ireland and Australia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

Ireland’s never-ending search for back-up to Johnny Sexton has taken a dramatic turn on Saturday night with the skipper ruled out of the game against Australia at the Aviva Stadium and replaced by young Munster out-half Jack Crowley.

It’s a dizzying rise for the former Bandon Grammar student who has started at ten only half-a-dozen times for his province and made a senior Ireland debut off the bench only last week against Fiji at this same stadium.