Keith Earls tells critics to get off Jack Crowley's back as he admits surprise at Sam Prendergast selection

Keith Earls has expressed surprise that Sam Prendergast has got the nod over Jack Crowley at No.10 for Ireland's clash with Joe Schmidt's Australia at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Munster and Ireland great Earls has told critics to lay off his former provincial team-mate Crowley - as he predicts a riveting battle for the Ireland out-half role between the 24-year-old from Cork and Leinster's Prendergast.

"It's a surprise, yeah, it's a big call," said Earls of Andy Farrell's decision to start with 21-year-old Prendergast, who made his Test debut against Argentina and his first start against Fiji in this November window.

READ MORE:Paul O'Connell expects Ireland to ramp it up against Joe Schmidt's Australia

READ MORE:Andy Farrell warns the best is yet to come as Joe Schmidt comes to town

Crowley, who has been named on the bench against the Wallabies, has started in 12 of 19 Ireland appearances and was the first-choice No.10 in the Six Nations winning campaign this year.

"Sam is an unbelievable talent. Watching him there last week, he's going to be a special player and it's going to be a good battle for hopefully the next 10 years as they fight it out.

"I think Jack has had a lot of unfair criticism over the last couple of months. Anyone who was going to come in after Johnny was going to feel the heat because of the standards Johnny had. He was a once in a generation talent and people need to forget about it and let Jack find his way.

"Jack has obviously had his ups and downs and obviously Munster have not gone so well at times this year. That hasn't helped him - but I still 100% think Jack is the man."

Keith Earls and Jack Crowley
(Image: @INPHO/James Crombie)

However Earls does acknowledge that if there was a time for Farrell to give players exposure, it is in this window rather than in the Six Nations. That will be even more the case in 2025 when the head coach won't be on Ireland duty - he will be on his Lions sabbatical.

"Maybe that's the case and if that is true, why not throw him in there, 100%," said Earls, who scored 24 tries in 62 Ireland appearances. "But Jack is proven to me. In 2023 that drop goal against Leinster, he has it and whatever is going on with him, I think he will get there.

"There are probably too many opinions on Jack. He still hasn't figured himself out yet and they have to leave him to do that, to give him time to do it. Johnny was only capped at 24.

"But, looking at the two of them, I think Ireland will be in a great place for the next couple of years."

*Keith Earls was speaking as an ambassador for Howden, a principal partner for the British and Irish Lions, at it's 2025 jersey launch in Dublin.