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Quinlan believes that the competition for the coveted 10 jersey is a good thing for Ireland

Sam Prendergast of Ireland, right, comes on as a substitute for teammate Jack Crowley (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Former Ireland and Munster international Alan Quinlan believes that the competition between Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley for the coveted Irish 10 jersey is a positive development for the team.

Ireland enters the Six Nations as favourites for the tournament, but one of the biggest questions surrounding the team is who will be the starting 10 for the opening game against England on February 1. In the November Series, Andy Farrell started with Crowley, but eventually, Prendergast became the starting 10.

It remains to be seen if the young Leinster star will retain the jersey next week.The out-half debate online has sparked a fiery discussion, with some questioning why Crowley was left out of promotional pictures this week. This prompted the IRFU X account to reply and offer clarification on the omission.

This situation may not look favourable at first glance, but Quinlan believes the competition for the jersey could indeed benefit the Irish team this Six Nations.

Quinlan stated, "The competition between Jack Crowley and Sam Prendergast is really good for Ireland," he said. "What Sam Prendergast has achieved so far hasn't surprised me because I watched him a lot in the U20s over the last couple of years. He's a brilliant talent, a really talented player, very mature, calm, relaxed, and wise beyond his years."

Sam Prendergast of Ireland (Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

"Jack Crowley is still a wonderful player as well, and it's a great position to be in, considering what Crowley did in South Africa. When you have an iconic figure like Johnny Sexton leaving, it’s difficult to fill that role."

Quinlan also highlighted that Ireland has three really good players, with two of them being natural out-half players. He believes that Prendergast has a significant advantage by playing with the Leinster pack but recognises that Crowley possesses better physical traits. Ultimately, he noted that it’s anyone's guess who will start next week in Dublin.

"Sam Prendergast has kicked on and benefits from playing behind the Leinster pack. From what we've seen since November, Prendergast has improved and played really well with Leinster. Although it's more of an armchair ride playing behind that Leinster pack—respectfully to what Munster is doing—just the depth and strength that Leinster has is notable."

"We saw it again at the weekend with who they can bring off the bench, with RG Snyman, Jack Conan, and all these players. So Prendergast is probably slightly ahead; however, I think Jack Crowley is a more physical player. He takes it to the line and is more of a contact-type player, while Prendergast has lovely silky skills. They may help improve that Ireland attack and get it kicked into gear."

Quinlan was talking to BoyleSports, who offer the latest Six Nations odds

Upcoming Fixtures

Ireland's 2025 Six Nations fixtures are as follows:

England at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, on Saturday, February 1, with a 4:45 pm kick-off.
Scotland at the Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, on Sunday, February 9, at 3:00 pm.
Wales at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff, on Saturday, February 22, at 2:15 pm.
France at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, on Saturday, March 8, at 2:15 pm.
Italy at Stadio Olimpico, Rome, on Saturday, March 15, with a 2:15 pm kick-off.

The Guinness Men’s Six Nations will be live on RTÉ and Virgin Media in the Republic of Ireland and BBC and ITV in the United Kingdom. There will also be radio coverage on RTÉ Radio 1 and BBC Radio.

Ireland Men’s Squad – Guinness Men’s Six Nations:

Forwards (21):

Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster) (23)
Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht) (46)
Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster) (56)
Jack Boyle (UCD/Leinster)*
Thomas Clarkson (Dublin University/Leinster) (2)
Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster) (46)
Caelan Doris (St Mary’s College/Leinster) (captain) (47)
Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster) (78)
Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) (134)
Iain Henderson (Academy/Ulster) (84)
Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster) (42)
Cormac Izuchukwu (Ballynahinch/Ulster) (1)
Rónan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster) (37)
Gus McCarthy (UCD/Leinster) (2)
Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster) (16)
Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) (110)
Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster) (70)
Cian Prendergast (UCD/Connacht) (4)
James Ryan (UCD/Leinster) (67)
Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster) (27)
Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster) (68)

Backs (15):

Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht) (60)
Caolin Blade (Galwegians/Connacht) (3)
Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster) (19)
Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster) (8)
Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster) (38)
Mack Hansen (Corinthians/Connacht) (25)
Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster) (77)
Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster) (42)
James Lowe (Leinster) (36)
Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) (120)
Calvin Nash (Young Munster/Munster) (8)
Jimmy O’Brien (Naas/Leinster) (8)
Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster) (5)
Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster) (3)
Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster) (63)

Development Players (4):

Hugh Cooney (Clontarf/Leinster)*
Cathal Forde (Corinthians/Connacht)*
James McNabney (City of Armagh/Ulster)*
Ben Murphy (Clontarf/Connacht)*

* denotes uncapped player