Bernard Jackman believes Sam Prendergast may still have the edge over Jack Crowley to start for Ireland in the opening round of the Guinness Six Nations, despite Crowley's impressive display against Northampton Saints on Saturday.
The Munster out-half produced his best performance of the season in the 34-32 defeat at Franklin's Gardens, while his break from deep in his own half even put the province in a position to win the game, only for the Saints to win a turnover later in the play.
The 25-year-old fell behind Leinster’s Prendergast in the starting role for Ireland during the second half of the Autumn Nations Series, and the pair are expected to be contesting the 10 shirt again for the Six Nations opener against England on 1 February.
But while Jackman believes Crowley delivered a timely reminder that he’s not going to give up the starting role without a fight, he believes interim coach Simon Easterby would be unlikely to change his mind on one game.
"The amount of people who messaged me - that game was on before Leinster – saying 'that’s it now, Crowley starts for Ireland’. I don't think it’s as simple as that," he told the RTÉ Rugby podcast.
"That’s not saying he hasn't put himself forward in a meaningful way, but I don't think Easterby or [Andy ] Farrell went in last Saturday saying ‘right, whoever plays better between Crowley or Prendergast [starts]’, but fans seem to want that."
Having started Ireland’s opening two games of the November window, Crowley saw his starting place taken Prendergast for the win against Fiji, and the 21-yer-old retained that spot a week later for the final match of the block against Australia.
And while Crowley endured inconsistent form for Munster earlier in the season, Jackman believes the province’s wider struggles on the pitch were a major factor.
"He’s a super talent. He’s got unbelievable mental toughness, fight, and it was great to see.
"In fairness to him, he suffered with Munster’s lack of energy and injuries and all that stuff. I actually felt when I looked back on some of the games before the end of Graham [Rowntree left], and a lot of the errors that Jack made were often errors made with really good intent.
"He could sense the team was struggling and tried to be the hero by making things happen. You'd much prefer that to someone who just goes missing.
"He definitely wasn’t firing to the level he has in the past. That’s difficult for an out-half when the team aren't firing.
"What you saw against the Saints was Munster in a good place. I know they conceded a lot of points, but he was in a good place and pulling the strings and showing the attacking threat that he is.
"He’s a brilliant footballer, he attacks the line, he’s got footwork, he’s brave, he’s got vision. It was a really good performance from him."
Jackman believes that the increased competition at out-half only bodes well for Ireland long-term.
"I think it’s brilliant, we have two brilliant tens, both with a really good age profile. One is more experienced than the other, but what we know is that both of them have a lot of talent.
"From what we’ve seen with Jack at a senior level, he can step up to the big occasion. Sam is going through that process and so far he has stepped up to all the different challenges, although he hasn't had as many challenges as Jack."
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