'He hasn’t wavered at all' - Mike Catt on Jack Crowley's 'exceptional' Six Nations form

The Corkman has led his side to three wins so far.

Jack Crowley during the Ireland Rugby open training Session on Thursday. Pic: INPHO/Billy Stickland

Fri, 01 Mar, 2024 - 07:46

Brendan O'Brien

Time in the saddle matters regardless of the sport. Jack Crowley has played all 240 minutes of Ireland’s Six Nations. That’s only two minutes less than his sum total in six games across the World Cup and the summer warm-ups.

Some old habits die hard, of course, so TV directors still scan the stands for a quick shot of Johnny Sexton, but Crowley has started brilliantly in attempting to fill what were the biggest boots in Irish rugby.

“He’s filled in his own boots really,” said assistant coach Mike Catt. “He’s done really well. The nice thing is we’ve got a pack of forwards that are pretty special. As a 10, when you get on the front foot or you’re getting good ball like we do, the speed of the ball with Jamison, him and Jamison have created a nice little relationship there, too.

“For me, his goalkicking was exceptional. His line kicking was exceptional. How many times did he put us five metres from an opportunity to go and score? Those are the grip moments when a young kid… him being able to exploit that sort of stuff is very good. He hasn’t wavered at all. He’s made the odd error but that’s alright.”

If Catt has been impressed by Crowley’s mental strength then Ireland’s physical well-being is another plus with Garry Ringrose and Hugo Keenan both on track for next week’s trip to Twickenham after taking part in Ireland’s training session at the Aviva Stadium yesterday.

Ringrose has yet to feature in the Six Nations having suffered a shoulder injury with Leinster during their Champions Cup win away to Leicester Tigers in January. Keenan picked up a knee problem against Italy and missed the Wales game.

Munster tighthead Oli Jager took no part in yesterday’s session due to a bang on the knee, Iain Henderson is back with Ulster undergoing treatment on a toe injury and Ryan Baird sat out with a back spasm.