Munster Team Talk Thread - Beirne After Reading

I'd be very surprised if Crowley left, provided the IRFU don't lowball him. He seems to possess the kind of resilient and determined character to be a world class outhalf. I think he'll rightfully believe he has the ability and will have the opportunity to take the jersey back from Prendergast.

But will he be given the opportunity?

He hasn't been given it during this 6 nations. Assuming they parachuted Sam in to get game time to "develop", why is that going to change in the next year or two?

They didn't seem interested in giving Jack time at 10 regardless of Sam performances. Which shows that the jersey wasn't up for grabs.

absolutely, i also completely agree that this is very unlikely to happen in this case

but the Sexton situation happened either way, despite how unlikely it was

while a bit hyperbolic all the same, it could be argued that the OH situation since the AIs has been mismanaged also (dont really want to start this debate again ideally), just by the management/coaching team rather that the overall IRFU

the idea that JJ and Zebo were going to leave was laughed at too

so again, i really doubt there is much in this at all. but if it turned out the be true then i also wouldnt be astounded

in terms of money, it seems a bit high definitely but pollard was on that apparently so it wouldnt be out of the question if they think he is worth it. not being on international duty would mean they would get their moneys worth too

I don't know what Crowley feels

How do you propose a player force their way in without game time?

Heard on the radio he was being offered 600k by tigers. That seems a bit far flung in my own opinion but the fact that he's been offered anything at all is important here.

The timing as well, one game left in the 6N and a lions tour this summer, he's unlikely to be picked by the lions so his best chance is the Irish summer tour to Georgia and Romania and then November. He's probably feeling fairly dejected by the 'team of us' to put mildly

25 year old 10 who's won the urc and has won a 6 nations is a great marketing tool

I'd say Prendergast will be offered one first

Strong provincial performances, improvement in specific areas highlighted by coaches, injury or other availability, versatility, change in tactical focus, loss of form by the incumbent.

Crowley is a young guy with a long career and a lot of caps ahead of him. He and Prendergast will each have injuries and fluctuations in form. Coaches will change, and the game will change to favour different skill sets. If both are too good not to select the temptation will be to get them into the same team. Crowley could play significant minutes at 12 post Aki/Henshaw.

why was it mismanagement?
they saved a fortune on his wages and he was still able to play because the ‘rule’ didn’t apply to him.

What constitutes a strong provincial performance? Not everyone can get an armchair ride at provincial level.

What specific areas highlighted by coaches?

An injury may never happen, also doesn't mean the incumbent won't be parachuted back in

Change in tactical focus? The coaches decide that, are you saying jack just does what he wants in games?

Loss of form!!!! That's a good one, poor performances by the incumbent didn't work lately, why would they work in the next year or two, as the incumbent is being "developed".

Saying well Crowley can play another position isn't really the point.

I don't see it. The irish management are totally behind SP even tho his form is terrible. Jack got about 20mins at 10 the whole 6nations. Can't get the jersey back if they don't put you in.

I hope he doesn't go away but I would understand if he did. They way he was hung out doing media and SP started.

I am not saying that Crowley does what he wants, I'm saying that Ireland's tactical focus could shift in a way that lends itself to Crowley's skill set over Prendergast's.

There is some discussion on the topic from about 2:20 in this Squidge video, where they posit that Prendergast's selection is primarily a reflection of the team's shifting tactics (playing less phases, kicking more), rather than an implicit indication that he is a better player than Crowley.

So wait and hope that his skillset comes back in need by the coaches. not really a way to force his way back in, now is it.

Prendergasts kicking from hand has been poor especially against France. He is also slow in getting his kicks away.

Care to address any of the other points