A first World Cup in France would be fitting achievement for Munster’s Jack Crowley
“We’re pretty clear on what we want because of what we want for our group but having said that, what happens in the next few days – if a player drops out or comes down that’s a player that covers one position, or a player that covers three or four different positions – that could change your mind.
This would still allow them to cover all specialist positions with three players each – ie loose-heads, hookers, tightheads, scrumhalves and outhalves, while allowing for a modicum of versatility therein – so leaving them with the choice of nine or 10 back-five forwards, and nine or eight midfielders/outside backs. And that 18/15 split would mean nine back-five forwards and nine backs, which is less lopsided than 19/14.
Cian Healy’s ability to scrummage at hooker also affords Farrell and co more elbow room, and confirmation that the scrumhalves have been practising lineout throwing in addition to Josh van der Flier, further suggests they are not inclined to pick four hookers. As a lock who can play with equal facility at blindside, Baird does look the likelier option, although a big performance in keeping with his display against Italy would seal the deal.
Jack Crowley’s class and selection for a third warm-up game strongly points to him being included for his first World Cup. “I think I wanted a French kit,” he says, laughing. “I wanted the French kit, the away one, it was just something I remember writing down, France and New Zealand, and watching the two away kits. And I got neither! I got an Irish kit, so Santa was obviously trying to say something. But that was probably the first one [memory].”
Crowley was tearing it up with the Irish Under-20s when the Covid pandemic arrived and sidelined him in some prime development years without even the AIL to provide an outlet with Cork Con.“At the time there were a lot of people who had illnesses, there were higher priorities and things more important,” he says, besides which he believes the provinces were inventive in making the most of players’ time away from the pitch.
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