PAUL O’Connell says Jack Crowley deserves his chance at out-half against Portugal.
But the interim Ireland chief admits that it will always be a tough choice between the Munster No 10 and Sam Prendergast.
Crowley has got the nod in Lisbon tomorrow after Leinster man Prendergast started in the 34-5 victory over Georgia in Tbilisi last Saturday.
O’Connell’s call adds fuel to the debate over the long-term heir to Johnny Sexton.
Crowley, 25, appeared to be in pole position when he won the 2024 Six Nations and started Ireland’s first nine games of the post-Sexton era.
But Prendergast, 22, started the tenth against Fiji and has been Ireland’s first-choice No 10 for all but one game — Italy last March — since.
O’Connell said: “It’s a very important position, out-half, more important than it’s ever been.
“They probably don’t touch the ball as much as the 9s but they make more decisions than anyone else in the field.
“Having two guys that can get in and play the game, make mistakes, learn and get it right and learn from that is good.
“This is an opportunity for Jack to own the week, run it and get after it. The two of them are quite supportive of each other.
“It’s another opportunity to give Jack more experience. Sam was excellent last week.”
O’Connell has handed out three debuts, with Connacht ace Shayne Bolton starting on the wing, while Munster’s Alex Kendellen is named in the back row.
Connacht centre Hugh Gavin was a late elevation to the starting XV after Leinster utility back Jamie Osborne — originally named at No 13 — got a Lions call-up.
Ex-Ireland and Lions star POC said: “We’re not giving them a go and hoping the experience will kick them on, they’re good players.
“Portugal are another impressive emerging side who look to play an exciting brand of rugby.
“We’re in for another battle hopefully in front of another big crowd of travelling supporters.”
IRELAND: J O’Brien, T O’Brien, H Gavin, S McCloskey, S Bolton, J Crowley, C Casey; J Boyle, G McCarthy, T Clarkson, T Ahern, D Murray, R Baird, A Kendellen, C Prendergast.
Reps: T Stewart, M Milne, T O’Toole, C Izuchukwu, M Deegan, B Murphy, C Frawley, C Nash.
