Munster interim head coach Ian Costello says he is "confident" that Jack Crowley will remain at the province next season, despite interest from the Leicester Tigers.
The out-half's future has been the subject of speculation in recent weeks, with the Ireland international being courted by Leicester, who are on the lookout for a replacement for their departing Springbok Handre Pollard.
The Premiership side have tabled an impressive offer to Crowley, but it's understood the 25-year-old's desire to continue his Ireland career will prove strong.
And the province’s interim head coach was asked after Saturday’s dramatic 30-24 win against Connacht whether he was confident of keeping his start out-half, or concerned he could leave at the end of the season.
"Confident, but until things are official and done… yeah," was Costello’s response, when asked about the prospect of getting a deal done.
Crowley was the man of the match in Saturday’s victory at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, scoring a try and kicking 10 points from the tee, a reminder of his class after getting limited gametime at out-half during the Six Nations.
"Jack was just so composed the whole way through in terms of line breaks, his passing range, his kicking range, but he just brings confidence to everyone around him.
"To be fair to Jack, he would have come back and played in the middle [of the Six Nations], he would have played against Edinburgh and he would have loved to have played but he understands the game management side of it and he understands that his focus was on the Six Nations. But Jack always wants to play.
"There was a big difference in leading the team for the week and he led the preparations really, really well and today you saw a guy, I’d say, who was very confident in the prep he had and very confident in himself.
"And I thought there was a lot of self-belief out there, wasn’t there, the way he played the game."
With Munster now up to fifth in the URC table, Costello and his players can turn their attention towards Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 meeting with La Rochelle and Ronan O’Gara with a degree of confidence, and a squad that is getting healthier every week.
Craig Casey and Jean Kleyn both made telling contributions on their return from injury, with Casey scoring a try and looking sharp throughout, while Kleyn came off the bench in the second half for his first appearance in five months, stealing a lineout with the final play of the game.
"Craig is back ahead of schedule, so is Jean Kleyn and massive credit to our medical department and our S&C staff.
"JK [Kleyn] took the turnover, probably the highest I ever saw him jump, but he got the turnover at the end and Craig could have played 80, which is a massive credit to his rehab and his mentality and mindset as well.
"And hopefully we’ve a couple more coming back next week and we’ll probably have to adapt again with a few bumps and bruises."
Thaakir Abrahams is back on deck following a dislocated shoulder, while Jack O’Donoghue is set to be available following an ankle injury.
The province are hopeful Peter O’Mahony will be fit for selection after missing the win against Connacht with a minor injury. The flanker, who is due to retire at the end of the season, watched the game alongside the Munster coaching team in Castlebar observing how they work, similar to how Leinster have done with Caelan Doris, Dan Sheehan and James Ryan this season.
And while Costello hopes O’Mahony does have a future in coaching, he doesn’t expect his former captain to make an immediate swap from the pitch to the coaching box.
"Long-term, not the short-term anyway! I think he’ll keep away from it for a little while but he’s got so much to give.
"Whether it’s as a mentor, or as a technical coach, he’s just a giant of the game and at some point I’d hope he’ll give something back to the game, particularly back at Munster and I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t.
"But I think he definitely needs some time away."
