Autumn Nations Series: Jack Crowley restored as Ireland’s fly-half over Sam Prendergast for All Blacks Test on Andy Farrell’s return
Jack Crowley has been restored as Ireland’s starting fly-half for Saturday’s clash against New Zealand at Soldier Field in Chicago in the headline team news on Andy Farrell’s return.
Elsewhere, Ireland skipper Caelan Doris does return but is only fit enough for the replacements bench following his recovery from a shoulder injury suffered in May. No 8 Jack Conan starts despite not playing since the British and Irish Lions tour at the beginning of August.
With Hugo Keenan and Mack Hansen out injured in terms of the back-three, Leinster wing Tommy O’Brien starts for only his third cap, while Jamie Osborne fills the full-back slot.
In midfield, Stuart McCloskey is preferred to Bundee Aki at inside-centre to partner Garry Ringrose. Hooker Dan Sheehan captains the side.
Head coach Farrell stepped away after last autumn’s Tests in order to fulfil his role as British and Irish Lions head coach for the summer’s tour of Australia.
Crowley, who played every minute of Ireland’s victorious 2024 Six Nations campaign, lost his place to Leinster’s Sam Prendergast last November when Farrell selected the latter against Australia.
Despite a strong challenge from Crowley, Prendergast then held on to the No 10 shirt during the Six Nations under Simon Easterby, with Crowley only usurping him again for the round five clash away to Italy.
Having lost his place as Ireland starter to Sam Prendergast, Crowley has now regained it
Neither Crowley nor Prendergast were subsequently selected for the Lions tour, and both were given a start each in the summer as Ireland faced Georgia and Portugal.
Crowley’s form at the start of the current season has been superb, however, and proven impossible for Farrell and co to ignore: the 25-year-old guiding Munster to a stunning 31-14 victory over Leinster at Croke Park a fortnight ago, outshining Prendergast and a host of Ireland’s returning Lions.
For Saturday, James Lowe completes the back-three alongside Osborne and O’Brien, while scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park partners Crowley at half-back.
Lions Test trio Andrew Porter, Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong form the front-row, while James Ryan partners Tadhg Beirne in the second row.
Hooker Dan Sheehan captains Ireland on Saturday, with Caelan Doris on the bench
In the back-row with Conan, Ryan Baird has earned the nod to start at blindside flanker, with Josh van der Flier on the openside.
Among the replacements is uncapped loosehead Paddy McCarthy, who is joined by hooker Ronan Kelleher, tighthead Finlay Bealham, lock Iain Henderson, Doris, scrum-half Craig Casey, Prendergast and Aki.
“It is a real privilege to be back here in Chicago ahead of a huge game against New Zealand. We’ve been received brilliantly by the local community and there are going to be thousands of Irish supporters cheering us on which is something that will inspire the team,” said Farrell.
“The clashes with New Zealand over the years have been fantastic occasions and we’re expecting more of the same on Saturday.
Andy Farrell’s Ireland may be unfancied vs the All Blacks this weekend, but they return to the scene of one of their greatest days in Chicago
“The historic nature of this game is something we are embracing and there’s great excitement in the squad, not least for Paddy McCarthy who is set to make his international debut this weekend.
“Paddy has made a great start to the season and his selection is testament to his impressive form. We wish him well and will all do our utmost to make it a special weekend for him and his family.”
Ireland: 15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 James Lowe, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 James Ryan, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 6 Ryan Baird, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Jack Conan.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Paddy McCarthy, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Caelan Doris, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Sam Prendergast, 23 Bundee Aki.
