Jack Crowley among host of players given first-up audition

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS: Jack Crowley during Ireland rugby squad training at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Dublin. Pic: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Jack Crowley will occupy the No.10 box seat for Ireland when Andy Farrell’s side step up their World Cup preparations on Saturday against Italy - the first of three warm-ups.

The Munster out-half is one of three men vying for the right to back-up Johnny Sexton at the tournament and auditions are very much open for now while the veteran captain sits out a three-match suspension that will elapse in time for the Pool B opener against Romania.