RONAN O’GARA believes Jack Crowley was “as good as I’ve seen him” for Ireland or Munster during the Six Nations win over England.
The 24-year-old came off the bench for Sam Prendergast as Simon Easterby’s men began their Championship defence with a 27-22 win at the Aviva Stadium.
In the latest chapter of the pair’s battle for the No10 jersey, Crowley impressed enough to be named on the Team of the Round by Midi Olympique.
He was one of three Ireland men named – alongside James Lowe and Dan Sheehan, who came off the bench to score the fourth try.
For Ronan O’Gara, the Munster starlet’s response to being benched for Prendergast showed he “has balls”.
Speaking to Off The Ball Breakfast, O’Gara commented: “He had a big game. He had a huge game.
“As good as I’ve seen him in a red or a green jersey and I just thougyht he was decisive. As a ten that does wonders and it spreads to every one else.
“He had conceded his position and maybe I was probably a bit blunt on that on the show last week on the fact that he has got to accept being the No2 now.
“To do that under pressure is a huge sign of mental strength but also shows that the kid has balls.
“He wants this and he is going to fight for it because I thought he looked shapor, he looked fast, he looked strong, he looked powerful.
“His kicking was good.
“There was just this aura about him where that is the Jack Crowley that I tried to sign a few years ago.”
The debate concerning who should start at out-half against Scotland is sure to rage on for days to come.
However, Sam Prendergast himself believes that the rivalry between the two has made for “healthy competition”.
Prendergast said: “I think it’s quite healthy competition. Jack is a great lad and player. I’ve seen how well he’s played.”
Fans have likened the battle for the Ireland No 10 jersey to Ronan O’Gara’s fight with Johnny Sexton in the 2010s.
But Prendergast insists there are no issues between him and Crowley.
The Leinster hotshot explained: “I think we both work together, as much as people want to think we hate each other. We just work together.
“He’s playing very well and played very well when he came on against England.”
Prendergast started and had some good moments, including a mammoth kick to give Ireland the lead.
However, he missed two conversions. Crowley was introduced and added the extras twice as Ireland’s replacements finished off the game.
But interim head coach Simon Easterby praised Prendergast for his Six Nations debut display.
Easterby said: “He did a lot of really good things out there and there are things he’ll feel he can improve on.”
