We're six weeks or so from the day Andy Farrell names his Lions squad to travel to Australia. The 2025 Six Nations has undoubtedly answered some selection questions for Farrell and his coaching team, but there a few positions that require consideration.
Outhalf is one of them.
Finn Russell is probably the pick of the Lions-eligible outhalves, despite missing that kick against Twickenham. Fin Smith steadied things for England, taking over for Marcus Smith. Both are certain to travel if fit. The third outhalf in the squad seems to be a call between Marcus Smith and one of Ireland's two outhalves. The Irish situation has spawned something of a civil war on social media this year. Both Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley are young and talented, but it's unclear if either are ready for the pressurised environment of a Lions Test match.
Writing in today's Sunday Times, Stephen Jones has weighed in on the Prendergast-Crowley debate, and makes an unexpected shout for Crowley to be included in the Lions squad over the Leinster player.
While Crowley doesn't make his match-day twenty-three, he opts for the Munster outhalf for his Lions squad because of his 'needle sharpness'.
There seemed to be quite a fuss going on in Ireland between the supporters of Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley, though Crowley gets it for me for his needle sharpness. However, it seems likely that the Test position will be fought out between Fin Russell and Fin Smith, and you really do fancy both of them behind a powerhouse scrum. Russell did not have his best season for Scotland, but we all now know that the Scottish pack was simply not good enough to launch him properly. Smith has come on at a rate of knots. Stuart’s loyalty to Marcus Smith continues, so does the Flat Earth Society.
Jones's punditry is often maligned in these waters, but he's likely won over some Munster fans today.
Legendary England outhalf Stuart Barnes also picked his Lions squad in the same piece and opts for neither Crowley nor Prendergast and instead goes for the two English outhalves with the surname Smith. Both would start Finn Russell if the first Lions Test came tomorrow.
It's a fascinating debate for Farrell and co. While Prendergast's ability is plain to see, the flaws of his game were obvious as well over the past few months. Which is the best path for his development: leading the next generation of Ireland talent on the Emerging Ireland tour, or being inside the Lions environment? The benefits of both are obvious enough, but it's for Farrell to decide which is best. Crowley will have some high profile games over the next four weeks and the squad selection will give us a good indicator of how Farrell views him.
SEE ALSO: 5 Takeaways From Ireland’s Heartbreaking Loss to France in Six Nations Opener
SEE ALSO: England Legends Scoff At 'Utter Nonsense' Johnny Sexton Lions Links
