Johnny Sexton 'carving the way' for young out-halves, not blocking it says Jack Crowley
FOLLOWING SEXTON'S LEAD: Jack Crowley believes Johnny Sexton is carving the way for Irish youngsters. Pic Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Jack Crowley has applauded Johnny Sexton’s longevity in the Ireland number 10 jersey for showing the way to young fly-halves, not hindering their Test-match prospects.
Sexton is set to lead Ireland into their pivotal World Cup pool match against defending champions South Africa on Saturday night at Stade de France, which would be the 38-year-old’s 116th cap for his country with Crowley, 23, vying with Ross Byrne, 28, for the back up role among the replacements.
With a combined total of 29 Ireland caps, it was put to Munster playmaker Crowley that having been one of several Irish fly-halves “blocked” by Sexton’s remarkable run at the top and asked whether he felt there would be an opportunity opening up to succeed the veteran when he hangs up his boots at the end of the tournament.
“Well, I’d actually like to challenge that,” Crowley replied on Tuesday. “I think he’s not blocked it, but opened it up to show the possibilities that are capable.
“Even at 37 (sic), to show to youngsters his skills and the dedication he puts into his game, it can go a long way and he’s showing the youngsters in Ireland what’s possible if you apply yourself to your prep and put everything into the game.
“I think for every youngster around Ireland he’s really carving the way, particularly for young out-halves. He’s the fella that’s leading the way.”
Sexton passed predecessor Ronan O’Gara’s all-time Irish point-scoring record of 1083 in last Saturday’s 59-16 pool win over Tonga and the captain said in his post-match comments he thought the younger fly-halves would be targeting the figure he eventually sets by the end of this World Cup.
At the outset of his Test career with seven caps, Crowley is just starting out with 27 points compared to his skipper’s running total of 1090 and when asked if he saw himself as the next in the lineage after fellow Corkman O’Gara and Sexton, he said: “I think I’m a long way away from that. I’ve yet to score a try.
“Nah, look, they’re sporting greats for Ireland and for a reason because of the many years they put into the Irish jersey. So, for me I’ve a long way to go to reach that level, but they’re great people to have around and I’m sure any youngster would be looking up and trying to aspire to be them.
"I don't think there's one thing I can take (from Sexton). I think just the level of detail he puts into his preparation, I don't think that can be undermined because everything you do in the week leads up to the game on the Saturday, that's more important because you can go out and perform with confidence.”
Crowley’s presence in front of the media at Stade de la Chambrerie, Ireland’s training complex in Tours, on Tuesday indicates he could be involved in the matchday 23 in Paris on Saturday night.
He was back-up to Sexton in the opening Pool B win over Romania, coming off the bench to kick four conversions from four in Bordeaux while Byrne provided cover for the captain in Nantes and matched his rival kick for kick.
Yet Crowley’s ability to play across a number of different positions – he started at inside centre and full-back in addition to fly-half for Munster last season and has filled in there for Ireland on occasion – may work in his favour in terms of selection to face the Springboks with versatility a bonus rather than a curse, it was suggested to him.
“Yeah, look, you might look at things and see them as a negative, and at times they can be, but for me learning in all of these different positions was a massive thing I took at the start.
"I never looked at it as a negative, being able to cover different positions. Like I’ve said before, if you’re at 15, you know what the 10 is going to be looking for, and when you’re at 10 you know what the 15 is going to be defending like.
“So, to get that exposure and those experiences is massive and game time at any time is massive, so to be able to go out there and play 15 or play 12, I don’t really mind, I just like being involved and helping out where I can.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
