Andy Farrell insists media are wrong about Ireland's fly-half debate

Head coach Andy Farrell insists the battle to become Ireland’s first-choice fly-half is not simply a two-horse race between Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley.

Prendergast marked his first start of the autumn with an impressive attacking display during Saturday evening’s 46-19 victory over Australia, including landing a long-range drop goal at a crucial stage.

Crowley, who began Ireland’s 26-13 loss to New Zealand and 41-10 win over Japan earlier this month, coolly slotted a penalty and three conversions against the Wallabies after coming on for the final 20 minutes.

Ciaran Frawley is also available to Farrell but has barely featured since last November, while Harry Byrne produced a standout display for an Ireland XV team in last weekend’s 61-24 win over Spain.

Asked about the competition for the number 10 jersey, Farrell said: “It’s great, isn’t it?

“Honestly, I know you guys (the media) think it’s a two-horse race this, but Harry Byrne’s not sitting down either, Ciaran Frawley’s not sitting down.

“Everyone has to be within a shout of being able to compete in the here and now, in the not-too distant future and in the future.

“I get these two (Prendergast and Crowley) having a go at one another and playing really well and they are actually good mates and good professionals with all that.

“But we’re interested in seeing everyone compete. Harry played pretty well in Spain last week, so it isn’t just the two lads.”

Farrell was critical of his team’s opening two performances of this international window.

Ireland raced out of the blocks against Australia at a rain-soaked Aviva Stadium and ultimately ran out convincing victors after Caelan Doris, Ryan Baird and Robbie Henshaw added to Mack Hansen’s first-half hat-trick.

“It’s very pleasing to be sat with a scoreline like that in those type of conditions, against a side which would have been well up for this,” said Farrell.

“The start was pretty good. I thought we really let ourselves go and attacked the game straight from the word go.

“There were obviously some setbacks, discipline-wise, a dropped ball.

“But holding our nerve and attacking the game again in the second half and keep playing the type of rugby that we did again in those conditions right until the end, I thought we gave a good account of ourselves.”

Farrell expects to have Josh van der Flier and Garry Ringrose back from hamstring issues for next weekend’s clash with world champions South Africa.

Centre Stuart McCloskey is a doubt after being forced off against Australia due to the recurrence of a groin problem, while replacement prop Tom Clarkson failed a head injury assessment following the challenge which resulted in a yellow card for Nick Frost.

“He’s been great all week and rehabbed thoroughly the week before, but obviously playing Test match rugby is a little bit different,” Farrell said of McCloskey.

“Not nice for Stu, but we’ll see how bad it is over the coming days.”

Asked about Clarkson, Farrell replied: “Tom is absolutely fine, but obviously he didn’t pass the test.”