The China Mail - Crowley gets nod for Irish as Prendergast drops out

Crowley gets his chance after coach Andy Farrell praised his performance, when he came on for Prendergast last Saturday, and inspired a turnaround, steering the Irish to a 20-13 win over Italy.

Farrell had laid into "keyboard warriors" over their comments attacking Prendergast, but after two bruising experiences in the 36-14 hammering by France and the Italy game, the Englishman has given him a break.

Prendergast, 23, misses out on a bench spot as Farrell preferred to call up Ciaran Frawley, who can play in a variety of positions in the backs, whilst wing Tommy O'Brien is recalled after being omitted from the Italy game.

Crowley will be partnered in the half-backs by Jamison Gibson-Park, who returns at scrum-half at the expense of Craig Casey who drops to the bench.

Farrell has also brought 2022 world player of the year Josh van der Flier, who sat out the Italy Test, and Tadhg Beirne, who was a replacement, back into the starting back row, to partner captain Caelan Doris.

Aside from Prendergast's travails at fly-half the other alarming issue for the Irish, both against France and Italy, was their scrum.

Farrell has tried to remedy this by naming veteran prop Tadhg Furlong in the starting line-up, though, the British and Irish Lion star had a tough time when he came on as a replacement against the Italians.

The Irish meet an English side bidding to bounce back after their hopes of a Grand Slam showdown with France at the end of the tournament were dashed by Scotland last Saturday.

Their recent encounters have been tight affairs.

England ended Ireland's hopes of successive Grand Slams in 2024 with a 23-22 win, though the Irish were crowned champions, whilst Ireland beat the English 27-22 last year in Dublin.

"Games between the two sides have been nip and tuck over recent times and there's great familiarity and respect across both camps," said Farrell in an Irish Rugby statement.

"We know their strengths and our aim is to deliver the best version of ourselves to put us in a position to get the performance that we want."

Team (15-1)

Jamie Osborne; Robert Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, James Lowe; Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Caelan Doris (capt), Josh van der Flier, Tadhg Beirne; James Ryan, Joe McCarthy; Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan, Jeremy Loughman

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Tom O'Toole, Finlay Bealham, Nick Timoney, Jack Conan, Craig Casey, Ciaran Frawley, Tommy O'Brien

Coach: Andy Farrell (ENG)

W.Tam--ThChM