Ireland are lucky to have two quality out-halves to choose from.
Rugby is a game of fine margins, and no other position epitomises this quite like out-half.
It is the most scrutinised and exposed number on the pitch. A good play is particularly impactful, while a bad play has more serious consequences. Many highs, and many lows, making a certain skill is essential for any No 10 worth their salt.
Ireland’s top-two out-halves, Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley, have differing styles; the latter with his more aggressive carrying, and the former with his array of delicate passing.
Thankfully, they both possess the same key trait – bounce back-ability.
Given the nature of the position, it is crucial that you do not let one of the lows affect your mental state, stopping you from taking risks and playing your natural game.
In this piece, we have looked at two games in which Crowley and Prendergast picked themselves up after a series of poor plays, to come up trumps in the clutch and lead their sides to victory.
Back in January, Munster faced off against Saracens in a key Champions Cup group match. With the province 9-3 behind after 60 minutes, they had not been helped by a performance from Crowley that was littered with uncharacteristic errors.
Below you can see examples of an intercept, block down, hospital pass, and a missed touch.
He would also miss a very makeable penalty kick early in the second half.
Munster would take the lead thanks to a Dian Bleuler try and a semi-difficult conversion from Crowley, before the Corkonian helped put his side two scores up with a series of fine plays.
His pinpoint crossfield kick to Rory Scannell set up a beauty of a try for John Hodnett out near the left touchline, and he duly added the extras.
It was a mature and match-winning final 20 minutes from Crowley, and in the midst of his first-half downer, he even found time for the best ‘almost try’ of the season, which we will share at the slightest excuse.
In Ireland’s last Six Nations – a nervy 27-18 win over Wales in Cardiff – Prendergast’s performance also had it peaks and troughs.
The 22-year-old was fairly flawless for a lot of the first half, as Ireland led 10-3.
But when a golden try-scoring opportunity was scuppered by a poor pass from Jamie Osborne, things began to go awry for Ireland and their No 10.
Garry Ringrose would see his yellow card upgraded to a red, and to stem the momentum change, 14-man Ireland opted for a kick at goal on 36 minutes.
It hit the post and a few phases later Prendergast would drop Wales’ clearance box kick while being relatively unchallenged in the air.
His woes would carry on into the second half, leading to Tom Rogers’ try.
In the highlight below, Prendergast initially makes the right read and goes after Blair Murray, but seems to be put off by the presence of Taulupe Faletau and goes at Murray from a poor angle, allowing the fullback to glide past him.
Had Prendergast gone straight for him, there would have been contact with Faletau and a probable penalty to Ireland for crossing.
However, like Crowley a month before, he bounced back in a big way.
His 50:22 after 54 minutes was one of the best kicks of its kind and one of the most clutch moments of the tournament; an incredibly difficult skill to pull off under huge pressure, with big risk and even bigger reward.
He would miss the tough conversion, but redeemed himself once more with a long-range penalty to put Ireland four points ahead.
A clearance kick out on the full was nearly disastrous for Ireland, but their defence held firm, and further penalty kicks from Prendergast gave them a cushion.
Ireland are blessed to have two 10s who have the skill and mental strength to raise their game in the clutch, when the jeopardy of each moment grows and grows.
