At last ... Munster finally let highly-rated Crowley off the leash
THE Ireland Under 20s of 2020 were box-office viewing and Jack Crowley was the main attraction. Noel McNamara’s men were blazing a trail across the Six Nations, laying waste to their opponents with every passing round. The Scots were blown away down in Musgrave Park and Crowley, in front of his fellow Leesiders, made the biggest statement with an audacious 60metre solo try. He was front and centre again as England were demolished 39-21 at Franklin’s
Gardens. They were on course to repeat the Grand Slam feats of the 2019 squad before Covid-19 intervened. The likes of David McCann, Thomas Ahern, Cian Prendergast and Ethan McIlroy have all broken through at senior level. But Crowley has bided his time behind Joey Carbery and Ben Healy. Ronan O’Gara made inquiries about brining the Innishannon native to La Rochelle for a few seasons, but Crowley politely turned down the Munster legend’s advances to remain at home. To date, he has made just four appearances, all from the bench, totalling just over an hour of action. More recently, he was lining out for Cork Constitution in the All-Ireland League but now, finally, Johann van Graan has given Crowley a start at No 10. He will run the show in Swansea tonight as the Reds look to maintain their unbeaten start to this league campaign before the international break. It will be fascinating to see how he fares. A strong showing from Crowley this evening and the debate around the out-half slot will intensify leading up to the European Champions Cup games and interpros in December. He will have Craig Casey alongside him for guidance while Conor Murray, who is set for his seasonal bow from the bench, will offer a calming presence. Van Graan has rung the changes again with Matt Gallagher, Liam Coombes, Dan Goggin and Shane Daly all drafted into the backs
while Jeremy Loughman, Fineen Wycherley and Jack O’Donoghue are all handed starts in the pack. Tadhg Beirne is deployed on the blindside flanker, which is arguably his best position. Murray is named on a bench which is stacked with impact, with Gavin Coombes, John Hodnett, back after a long injury spell, Ben Healy and returning Sprinbok Damian de Allende among the cavalry. Crowley is the best story here, however. The race for for the Munster No 10
jersey is about to get very interesting.
OSPREYS: M Nagy; A Cuthbert, O Watkin, K Williams, M Protheroe; S Myler, R Webb (capt); N Smith, E Taione, T Botha; B Davies, R Davies; S Cross, J Morgan, E Roots. Reps: F Phillips, G Thomas, R Henry, J Regan, M Morris, R Morgan-Williams, J Hawkins, D Evans. MUNSTER: M Gallagher; A Conway, L Coombes, D Goggin, S Daly; J Crowley, C Casey; J Loughman, N Scannell, J Ryan; J Kleyn, F Wycherley; T Beirne, P O’Mahony (capt), J O’Donoghue Reps: K O’Byrne, J Wycherley, K Knox, G Coombes, J Hodnett, C Murray, B Healy, D de Allende Referee: H Davidson (Scotland. TV: LIVE on RTÉ2, kick-off: 7.35pm.
Verdict: Munster