'We're Always Singing' Jack Crowley Lauds Influence Of 'Best Friend' Casey | Balls.ie

Ireland's Autumn International Series may not have delivered the thrilling rugby that fans have become accustomed to, however, where the performances were underwhelming, the race to Ireland's number ten jersey certainly wasn't.

With Jack Crowley, Ciaran Frawley and young hotshot Sam Prendergast all in the race to earn Andy Farrell's favour, Irish rugby hasn't seen a race for a position so intense since a young Johnny Sexton emerged from Leinster Rugby.

Now the same age as Sexton when he made his international debut, Crowley revealed that there were few questions in Irish camp that his predecessor didn't have the answer to, joking that even adventurous forwards were tapping Sexton's brain.

"We go to ask him questions if there's an area that we're curious about, he's very open, and it's not just the outhalf, it's obviously the backs or forwards that are trying to expand their game, he'll be able to answer most questions" Crowley said.

Despite Crowley's controversial omission from the starting fifteen versus Australia, the Munster outhalf claimed he was 'fortunate to be in the 23', lauding the precious status the Ireland outhalf holds in the country.

The ten jersey in Ireland has always been special....it's a special jersey and there's obviously attention around it but I think that's with credit to the players that have gone before us...it's exciting times to be challenging for that jersey and like I said it will make us better, and hopefully it'll take our games to a new level. I guess that's what makes that jersey special is always been a hard fought battle and it deserves to be in a special place that jersey does.

Being honest, that week I was just so fortunate to be in the 23...just watching on for the first sixty was so tough, it was such a tight game and then to come on and bring the lads over the line at the end..I was delighted to be able to do.

Munster Rugby star Jack Crowley pictured at Thomond Park as the powerful Number 10 is announced as Pinergy, Official Energy Partner to Munster Rugby’s newest ambassador alongside fellow Number 10 Kate Flannery. This exciting announcement comes as Pinergy extends its commitment to Munster Rugby with a new four-year sponsorship agreement, building on a successful 10-year association and solidifying its position as a key sponsor with Munster Rugby since 2017. To keep up to date with Kate and Jack’s partnership, visit @Pinergyenergy on Instagram for more. #OwnTheMoment

Jack Crowley on his 'best friend' Craig Casey

While he may not have started that fixture, it was the 24-year-old who would enter the fray with Australia just twenty minutes away from defeating Ireland on home soil and change the game.

The injection of Crowley along with his provincial partner Craig Casey gave Farrell's men the burst of energy they needed, with Gus McCarthy going over the line and securing a third Irish win of the series minutes earlier.

Speaking at the renewal of Pinergy's official energy sponsorship with Munster Rugby, Crowley revealed that the key to their successful on-field partnership is honed singing in the hotel room together.

We room together so we are always singing in the room together, we’re usually on the same page. We have grown quite close over the last few years and I’d be calling him one of my best mates.

He’s a fella you love being around because of his energy and his intensity, it’s something that’s infectious if you’re groggy in the morning. He is always bouncing. He’s a pleasure to play beside, he works so hard, he’s so diligent. I see his professionalism and we’re seeing his game go to a new level at the moment. That’s a pleasure for me to play outside.

The closing stages of Ireland's match with Australia certainly showed that Munster's half-back partners can do the business on the pitch, and judging by Crowley's comments they're well able for the business off the pitch as well.

Having the two half-backs singing off the same hymn sheet will certainly bode well for Ireland and Munster who only stand to gain from having a half-back line in tune with each other.

That partnership will be put to the test this Saturday when Munster and Jack Crowley welcome Stade Francais to Thomond Park for their Champions Cup opener and their biggest European clash since the departure of Graham Rowntree.