Shane Horgan highly critical of IRFU’s contract negotiations with ‘top player’ Jack Crowley

Although it looks like Munster fly-half Jack Crowley is close to signing a new contract with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), the governing body made a mistake by not showing their appreciation for the playmaker.

That was the word from former Ireland outside back Shane Horgan, who feels that Crowley may have seen more value in offers from overseas clubs.

Munster interim head coach Ian Costello gave a strong indication that Crowley would be staying with the Irish province by signing a new IRFU deal, albeit not a central contract.

Linked with Leicester Tigers move

Crowley has been linked with a move away from Munster with claims Premiership outfit Leicester Tigers launched an enticing bid for his services.

The 25-year-old was Ireland‘s first choice fly-half during the 2024 Test season and played a leading role during the men from the Emerald Isle’s triumphant Six Nations campaign last year.

However, he found himself on the periphery of Ireland’s recent Six Nations campaign with Leinster’s Sam Prendergast starting the first four Tests of the famous championship at fly-half before Crowley started their last clash against Italy.

And Horgan believes the IRFU made a big mistake by holding out for so long before offering a new contract to Crowley.

“The thing that’s maybe more serious is…was there a thinking in the IRFU that, ‘We can get this guy a little bit cheap, or not on a central contract?’ That might be a little bit more of what was at play,” he said on the Second Captains podcast.

👉 Munster boss drops major Jack Crowley hint amidst uncertainty over Ireland fly-half’s future

“I’m glad he called them on it. He’s right. You don’t have long to play, he’s crucial to Munster, actually in many ways he’s very, very important to Ireland, and he should be rewarded.

“The final thing on Crowley… I think it’s a mistake by the IRFU not to try and support players and not have to go into that deep negotiation to get what you want.

“I’m not saying there’s not always been negotiation but… he’s a top player. He’s one of Munster’s top players. Is there not something about keeping that guy happy and showing that he’s valued and he’s important, not just to Munster but to Ireland?

‘Another massive part of rugby is your head’

“It’s all part of what performance is. We know there’s the technical skills and fitness and all that. But I keep on saying it – another massive part of rugby is your head.

“A player who feels valued and is properly remunerated for what they provide to both of their teams, I think, is a better player for both.

“It’s the level of haggle. What you’re hearing from across the water in France, and with firm offers going, ‘This is the value,’ and you’re hearing less than half that value [in Ireland], that’s an issue.

“Number one, I’m sure he didn’t really want to go. And two, he doesn’t really want to do that negotiation in public. You do it because you have to but he doesn’t want to do that.”

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