Crowley Gets the Nod: Farrell Backs Young Munster Fly-Half for England Clash
Jack Crowley will start at fly-half for Ireland against England at Twickenham, replacing Sam Prendergast in the biggest change to Andy Farrell’s starting XV for the Six Nations encounter. The decision comes after Prendergast faced criticism following last weekend’s performance against Italy, where he missed two conversions before being substituted in the 56th minute.
Prendergast’s Journey and Farrell’s Support
Despite dropping Prendergast from the squad altogether, Farrell emphasized the 23-year-old’s potential. “Sam’s a fantastic international player,” Farrell stated, adding that he is “on a journey that’s obviously learning, like all of us.” Ciarán Frawley will provide cover at out-half.
Farrell also defended both Prendergast and Crowley against online criticism, referring to “keyboard warriors” and highlighting the competitive nature of the position. He explained the decision was based on current form, noting that both players had come into camp in better shape recently.
Crowley’s Impact and Farrell’s Reasoning
Crowley made a significant impact coming off the bench against Italy, contributing five points and playing a key role in Rob Baloucoune’s try. Farrell believes Crowley is playing with confidence, stating, “I suppose the two lads probably came in to camp, I think they’ve probably been in better form.”
Farrell pointed to Crowley’s ability to “rip into the performance” when given an opportunity, drawing parallels to James Ryan’s recent resurgence after being left out of the starting lineup against France.
Team Changes and Forward Pack Adjustments
Beyond the fly-half switch, Ireland has made four other changes to the starting lineup. Jamison Gibson-Park, Tadhg Furlong, and Tadhg Beirne are promoted from the bench, although Josh van der Flier returns to the starting XV after missing out against Italy. Edwin Edogbo and Cormac Izuchukwu have been omitted from the 23-man squad, resulting in a 5:3 split between forwards and backs.
Looking Back and Looking Ahead
Ireland is wary of past results at Twickenham, recalling the narrow 23-22 loss in 2024 when a late drop goal from Marcus Smith denied them a Grand Slam. Farrell acknowledged the emotional impact of Scotland’s recent win over England and expects a strong reaction from the home side.
“We go back into the dark ages sometimes, we go back further than two years sometimes,” Farrell said, referencing past disappointments. He emphasized the competitive nature of the Six Nations and the importance of adapting to different emotions each week.
Crowley in for Prendergast as Farrell makes five changes for England clash pic.twitter.com/8oVe2xs2ep
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 19, 2026
FAQ
Q: Why was Sam Prendergast dropped from the squad?
A: Andy Farrell stated it was a decision based on current form and the balance of the team for this particular match. Prendergast is still considered a fantastic international player who is developing.
Q: Who will cover fly-half with Prendergast out?
A: Ciarán Frawley will provide cover at out-half.
Q: What other changes have been made to the Ireland team?
A: Jamison Gibson-Park, Tadhg Furlong, and Tadhg Beirne have been promoted from the bench, and Josh van der Flier returns to the starting XV.
Q: Where can I watch the match?
A: The match will be broadcast on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, with live coverage beginning at 1pm on Saturday. A live blog will be available on the RTÉ News App and rte.ie/sport.
