Crowley’s return to the 10 jersey is not overly surprising, but still significant. The Munster man was Ireland’s first-choice out-half during their 2024 Six Nations title win, but lost his place to Sam Prendergast during last year’s autumn Tests.
However, Crowley has started the season strongly and his starring role in Munster’s comprehensive United Rugby Championship win over Leinster has helped him edge out Prendergast.
When asked about picking Crowley, Farrell said the 25-year-old “deserves” it.
“He’s had a great pre-season, come back in, started the season in good form, and it’s certainly something that we saw in the first week over here,” added Farrell.
“We’ve had a great camp, getting the lads back together. It certainly shows us where everyone’s at as far as the competition and the respect that they’re trying to gain from one another.
“You watch all of that and you come up with a decision who deserves to start and rightly so, Jack has been running the side really well this week, so we’re looking forward to seeing him perform.”
Doris has been sidelined since May after undergoing shoulder surgery that ruled him out of the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia, and while he has returned to training, Farrell has opted not to risk the 27-year-old from the start.
It means that Saturday will be another significant day in the career of Sheehan. The 27-year-old hooker has been one of Ireland’s outstanding players in recent years, while his emerging leadership status has seen him captain his country and the Lions this year, having led the tourists to victory over Western Force.
Ireland were also captained from hooker – on that occasion Rory Best – in the 2016 win.
It will be a big day for Best’s former Ulster team-mate McCloskey, too. The 33-year-old started both summer wins over Georgia and Portugal, but has found run-outs with the frontline team hard to come by in the past couple of years.
“I can’t count how many times we’ve had those type of conversations [about him not being selected] but he thoroughly deserves his chance this weekend,” said Farrell, who added that McCloskey has “upped” his leadership qualities.
Those summer wins were a breakout for Leinster wing O’Brien, who scored four tries over the two games, and Ireland fans will hope the 27-year-old proves an able deputy for Hansen.
