Jack Crowley's Munster future has yet to be finalised, and a deal remains to be completed for the in-demand out-half, according to RTE Sport pundit Donal Lenihan.
Munster interim head coach Ian Costello said after Saturday’s victory over Connacht that he was "confident" that Crowley will sign a new deal, while media reports on Monday suggest that the deal has been agreed.
Not so, according to Lenihan who is concerned that Munster could lose their international star, just as Leinster lost Johnny Sexton when he opted to move to France.
Lenihan does not believe that Crowley is fully appreciated by the province in relation to contract negotiations, considering there is a reported €750,000 contract on offer from the Leicester Tigers.
"It seemed after the game, Ian Costello spoke about it, it was in all the Sunday newspapers that a deal [to stay] was done or close to being done, but as far as I’m aware, that’s not the case," said Lenihan, speaking on RTE Sport’s Against The Head.
"There’s been a sort of a derisory extra few bob thrown into the can, which I don’t think reflects Jack Crowley’s worth.
"If you look at that game (against Connacht) last Saturday, (Craig) Casey and Crowley were absolutely outstanding, they are the future of Munster, and I just hope they don’t take it for granted that he is not going to go away, a bit like the Johnny Sexton situation a couple of years ago."
Fellow pundit Bernard Jackman agreed with Lenihan’s sentiments regarding the young out-half’s importance to both the province and the international side.
"From a Munster point of view, I think it’s imperative that they tie Crowley down, and for Irish rugby, you wouldn’t want to lose him."
Munster got the better of Connacht on Saturday in what was a historic occasion at Mayo’s MacHale Park, beating the home side 30-24, and can now take the momentum from the win into Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup last-16 clash against La Rochelle.
The French side, coached by Munster legend, Ronan O’Gara, are struggling for form at the moment, and Lenihan feels that it is a very good time to take on the back-to-back 2022 and 2023 tournament winners.
"The last eight games they have a draw and seven defeats, which is certainly not where he is used to being," said Lenihan.
"A couple of weeks ago I wouldn't have given them much hope going down there, but since that Edinburgh game they are starting to get players back, Jean Kleyn, Craig Casey, Peter O’Mahony will be available ...I give Munster a great chance."
While Lenihan was full of awe for the Munster performance, he was none too complimentary when discussing the home side’s showing on Saturday.
"Calamitous Connacht. I find them very frustrating to watch," said Lenihan.
"As far as I'm aware, that's not the case..." - Donal Lenihan hopes that Munster do not take for granted that Jack Crowley will remain at Thomond Park. #rterugby pic.twitter.com/H0eVvmVOaU
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 31, 2025
