Since the retirement of Johnny Sexton in 2023, the topic of who should be Ireland’s first-choice fly-half has been a never-ending discussion.
Sam Prendergast looked to have taken charge earlier this year but, after a shaky start to the Six Nations, Jack Crowley was handed the keys and impressed for the rest of the tournament.
When Crowley picked up a back injury at the end of last season, Prendergast slotted back in the 10 jersey for the summer’s Nations Championship matches against Australia and New Zealand.
Ciaran Frawley got his chance against Japan and put in a solid display but, with Crowley and Harry Byrne injured, can he now establish himself as first choice under Andy Farrell?
For former Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray, he is one to watch.
Murray said Prendergast played “really well” as he was named player of the match in Leinster’s Investec Champions Cup win over Clermont on Saturday, but Frawley has also caught his eye.
Fresh from a summer move which has taken him out of the shadows at Leinster, where he was rarely deployed at fly-half, to first choice at Connacht, the 28-year-old has settled in seamlessly under Stuart Lancaster.
