CROW THAT DIDN’T FLY ON THE RISE
Munster v Wasps Today, 3.15pm
A MASSIVE desire to make it with his beloved Munster kept Jack Crowley from answering Ronan O’gara’s call to join La Rochelle.
It’s over a year since Reds great O’gara (below) made Crowley an offer he decided to refuse and, having had to stay patient during Covid, the 22-year-old was finally rewarded with a European start at Castres last week.
“Yeah, look, it’s mad to think it’s over a year ago when all that was happening,” said the young Corkman, who makes way for Ben Healy at No.10 for Wasps’ visit to Thomond Park today.
“I guess the decision behind it was that I believe in myself. All along I have put so much work into my game and, you know, Munster is the place where I grew up.
“I have supported them since I was a young fella so it has been a dream of mine to play from Munster.
“I was looking at ROG play, Anthony Foley play – there’s a kind of spark inside you.
“I have a vivid image of myself at half-time in Munster games, going outside to get my rugby ball and chipping it over imaginary defenders and scoring the try in the corner.
“So that was always in the back of my head – but I guess when it comes to decisions you’ve got to take emotion out of it and you have got to think technically and tactically, what’s best for yourself.”
Munster are already into the knock-outs and it is about trying to achieve a top seeding now.
For Crowley, there is a huge incentive to push on and improve now he has had a taste of the Champions Cup arena.
“I’m not going to be content with that, Friday night I made a European start, I can’t take my foot off the pedal and relax,” he insisted.