Ireland Drops Sam Prendergast After Italy Performance, Crowley Starts vs England
Ireland have made a significant selection change ahead of their crucial Guinness Six Nations encounter with England this Saturday, dropping fly-half Sam Prendergast from the matchday squad entirely. Jack Crowley has been named to start at fly-half for the pivotal clash at Twickenham, marking a notable shift in Ireland's tactical approach following last weekend's unconvincing victory over Italy.
Prendergast's Omission Follows Italy Struggles
Sam Prendergast's exclusion comes directly after a challenging performance during Ireland's 20-13 win over Italy, where the young fly-half missed two straightforward conversions before being replaced by Crowley. This marks the first time Prendergast has been overlooked for a matchday 23 in the Six Nations championship since his Test debut in November 2024, having started all but one of Ireland's previous seven Six Nations matches. The 23-year-old's struggles against Italy proved decisive in head coach Andy Farrell's selection rethink.
Crowley's Opportunity After Bench Impact
Jack Crowley impressed from the bench against Italy, though his performance was not without blemish as he missed touch with a late penalty that cost Ireland a potential bonus point. Ciaran Frawley will provide back-up for the number 10 role, returning to international contention for the first time since last summer's 106-7 victory over Portugal. Scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park has been recalled to partner Crowley at half-back, representing the only other alteration to Ireland's backline for the England fixture.
Forward Pack Sees Three Changes
Ireland have implemented three changes to their forward pack for the Twickenham encounter:
- Tadhg Furlong replaces Thomas Clarkson at tighthead prop
- Tadhg Beirne comes in for Cormac Izuchukwu in the back row
- Josh van der Flier replaces Jack Conan at openside flanker
Captain Caelan Doris reverts to number eight, with Beirne selected at blindside flanker and Van der Flier completing the back row combination. These adjustments reflect Ireland's determination to strengthen their forward presence against an England side known for their physicality at home.
The selection decisions underscore Ireland's response to their imperfect performance against Italy, with Crowley now handed the responsibility of steering Ireland's attack against their historic rivals. The changes represent both a reaction to recent form and a strategic calculation for the specific challenges posed by England's defensive structure and set-piece strength.
