Ireland star Jack Crowley insists ‘hands aren’t tied’ over future amid exit rumours
Jack Crowley in action for Ireland.
Ireland fly-half Jack Crowley insists he is just focusing on on-field performance amid Munster exit rumours, but insists his ‘hands aren’t tied’ regarding his future.
The number 10 has been heavily linked with a switch to Leicester for the 2025/26 Premiership season, with the Tigers looking to secure a replacement for Bulls-bound Handre Pollard.
Jack Crowley addresses potential Munster exit
Crowley’s current deal with Munster expires at the end of the current season, and reports from the Daily Mail suggest he has attracted a big-money offer to take him to Mattioli Woods Welford Road for next season.
“My hands aren’t tied,” Crowley told reports at a recent Pinergy appearance.
“It’s still ongoing, but as I’ve said before, my main focus is on performance. The team behind me are looking after that, and hopefully it’ll be sorted.”
“The most important thing is performance,” he continued. “That’s always been the case with me, you always want to give 100 per cent when you’re out there.”
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The 25-year-old lost his place in the Ireland team this Six Nations, with Simon Easterby entrusting Leinster ace Sam Prendergast to start at fly-half, but Crowley has still been putting in solid performances for Munster, notably in their win over Connacht this weekend.
And, despite heavy speculation over a potential exit, he still feels the love for his boyhood club.
“You’ve got to consider everything,” he said. “Growing up, playing for Munster and Ireland was the main goal and winning trophies was up there with that as well. You’ve got to be unbelievably diligent with your decision making.”
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“It’s a place that I love playing in and in weeks like this in Europe and everything like that, it adds that extra special element to it.”
His comments also come after Munster interim head coach Ian Costello said he was ‘confident’ Crowley would be plying his trade at Thomand Park next seasonn
Crowley is expected to start at fly-half for Munster again this weekend as they prepare for a pivotal Champions Cup clash with French giants La Rochelle. Ronan O’Gara’s side aren’t in the best of form, though, losing seven of their last eight in all competitions.
Elsewhere, Munster could also be buoyed by the return of Peter O’Mahony, who has returned to training this week.
