Jack Crowley: 'My hands aren't tied'
Contract talks are still ongoing for Munster fly-half Jack Crowley who gave a positive-sounding update on his future yesterday.
The talented 25 year old said his “hand’s aren’t tied” when it comes to discussing his future at yesterday’s press conference launching Munster Rugby’s official partner, Pinergy’s new Going Solar guide.
The Innishannon man sounded focussed, saying that his main focus will always be his performances on the pitch and that he’s hopeful of signing a new contract at home.
“When you’re out there, it’s unbelievably important that you are there and fully committed.”
Rumours have been swirling around the Munster star’s future of late with a potential move to Premiership side Leicester Tigers dominating headlines in recent weeks.
Crowley was Ireland’s starting fly-half last autumn and was a prominent figure in Ireland’s Six Nations campaign last year when Ireland won the title for the 16th time. He took over the jersey after the retirment of Jonathon Sexton.
However, this year’s campaign has panned out very differently for Crowley with Leinster’s Sam Prendergast taking his place as first choice fly-half for the first four games of the Six Nations, prompting some to claim that there might be some favouritism at play.
With speculation mounting as to whether Crowley would remain in Ireland, the IRFU recently offered him a new contract.
He said this season has had its “obstacles and challenges” but that delivering performances is always his number one goal.
“When it comes down to decision making, particularly with things that are of massive importance to you, I think you’ve really got to simplify things down and it brings you back into your beliefs, your principles, your values,” said Crowley.
“Whatever scenario is in front of me, I try to always give my best. The beauty of it as a player is you get to play a simple game of rugby. For me, and I think it’s speaking from the heart, you play in a squad of 35 or 40 lads and when you go in there, you play for each for each other,” he added.
Asked if recent events had affected his mentality towards the game and regaining his place on the Irish team, Crowley said it was “all about perspective on things”.
He said: “At the time, when you’re in the heat of the battle and you do lose a game and you don’t get the results you want and you don’t qualify for something, as a human being, you’re unbelievably disappointed. It’s only until you step away from that period that you’re able to understand what it means and then you can take the learnings from it,” added Crowley.
Munster face Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle in the Ivestec Champions Cup on Saturday at 5.30pm in France.