Praise for Jack Crowley after guiding Ireland to Triple Crown against Scotland 

The Munster man produced his most authoritative and complete display in an Ireland jersey.

STARTER FOR 10: Jack Crowley of Ireland celebrates with teammate Garry Ringrose. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Jack Crowley’s Six Nations campaign began on the bench at Stade de France, his role plugging gaps in an Ireland backline. He finished it with the number 10 on his back, guiding his side to a Triple Crown and with the praise of Andy Farrell ringing in his ears.

The fly-half delivered his best performance of the season at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday as Ireland trounced Scotland 43-21 on the final day of the championship and that should be enough to secure the starting role for this summer’s inaugural first leg of the Nations Championship in Australia and New Zealand.

Crowley deserves the opportunity to shine after his most authoritative and complete display in an Ireland jersey and not just with a goal-kicking contribution of 13 points from five conversions and a penalty for a six out of seven return off the tee.

The 26-year-old, on his 35th Test appearance, was sharp and incisive at the gainline with Ireland on the front foot and his team’s attack hummed as a result, much to his head coach’s satisfaction.

“I thought he was outstanding,” Farrell said. “I mean, the obvious word is he committed to his performance in every aspect. It wasn't just the goal-kicking or the ball in the air, but you can see that he committed to every aspect of his game and led the team really well.” 

Sam Prendergast had started 2026 at 10 but had looked uncomfortable in the glare of a heavy opening-round defeat in Paris, when Crowley had filled in alongside him in midfield at times and at full-back. A week later and two days after his 23rd birthday, he struggled to take control at home to Italy, despite some flashes of inspiration, and was replaced on 55 minutes. Crowley finally had his chance and in tandem with a benched Jamison Gibson-Park the half-backs turned the game around as Ireland eked out a 20-13 win.

With Prendergast withdrawn from the firing line for the trip to Twickenham, Crowley had an armchair ride alongside an inspirational Gibson-Park as Ireland recorded a record 42-21 away win over England in round three.

A try, two conversions and a penalty helped Ireland home on a difficult night at home to Wales in round four and Saturday’s Triple Crown decider with the Scots brought an even more pivotal contribution to a famous victory as Ireland ran in six tries with Crowley once again playing the full 80 minutes, Ciaran Frawley covering at full-back off the bench and the pair combining in clinical fashion to put in Tommy O’Brien for his second try of the afternoon at the death. It was an impressive team performance with Crowley at the heart of it all as far as Farrell was concerned.

“He committed to everything. For example, his phase play. His passing was crisp. It was quicker. He had more intent at the line. He made people sit down more. He turned the corner well. All that type of stuff. He committed to all aspects of his game.” 

Frawley has quietly excelled off the bench in Prendergast’s absence over the last three games as he has rejuvenated his Ireland career following a major setback against New Zealand in 2024 and the Connacht-bound playmaker’s return to form can only enhance Farrell’s options as he plots his team’s path to next year’s World Cup. With Prendergast sure to return to the selection mix this summer with games against the Wallabies and Japan in Australia before a trip to the All Blacks’ fortress at Eden Park, the jostling for position in the fly-half pecking order will make for a fascinating watch.