Andy Farrell explains controversial selection decision

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell made the biggest selection call of his time in charge of the men in green today by naming Sam Prendergast ahead of Jack Crowley for this weekend’s clash with the Wallabies.

Clearly a big fan of the 21-year-old Leinster pivot, Farrell has been effusive in his praise of Prendergast throughout November. Handing the highly touted youngster his debut off the bench against Argentina a fortnight ago, Farrell doubled down by naming him as starter a week later against Fiji.

This decision has seen Crowley (24), who picked up where the iconic Jonathan Sexton left off seamlessly in last season’s Six Nations drop to the bench for the big match.

When asked about the decision, Farrell said, “There are a couple of things,” said the Ireland coach of Prendergast, “I think he deserves it.

“I thought he played pretty well. He has trained pretty well over the course of this autumn series as well, so there’s another chance there to lead the week and grow in that manner.

“Obviously the opportunity to play in a big game along with a good side behind him. For the likes of himself and Gus McCarthy and a few others actually, hopefully you combine all of that together and it kicks them on for the future.

“We want him to grow on the performance of last week, you know? I thought, and so did he, that his performance was good.

“A few errors were thrown in there, I thought he was nice and composed… how he controlled the bench coming off the bench against Argentina as well. You can throw that into the mix. Putting it all together in an 80-minute performance is a big occasion for everyone involved.”

Dropping to the bench for the encounter, incumbent Jack Crowley will hope to make an impact if called upon against the Wallabies. Farrell was asked about the decision to drop the Munster number ten and said it was a case of seeing what he had Prendergast rather than dropping Crowley.

“Jack’s played very well for us for a good while now, and played in a lot of big games as well. So we know as far as that’s concerned what we’ve got, although there’s a lot of improvement to be had and to be seen with Jack and Ciarán Frawley, etc.

“But I suppose it’s pretty similar to Conor [Murray]. Conor’s an unbelievably trusted member of our staff, as is Jack. Craig played well, he deserves his chance to play in a big game also, so it goes through the squad.”