Jack Crowley

This article is about the Irish rugby player. For the minor The Simpsons character, see Pokey Mom.

Jack Crowley
Date of birth (2000-01-13) 13 January 2000 (age 24)
Place of birthInnishannon, Ireland
Height1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight89 kg (14.0 st; 196 lb)
SchoolBandon Grammar School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fly-half, Centre, Fullback
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2021– Munster 61 (265)
Correct as of 20 December 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2020 Ireland U20 3 (36)
2022 Emerging Ireland 3 (18)
2022 Ireland Wolfhounds 1 (2)
2022– Ireland 19 (123)
Correct as of 30 November 2024
National sevens team
Years Team Comps
2021 Ireland 1

Jack Crowley (born 13 January 2000) is an Irish professional rugby union player who currently plays as a fly-half for United Rugby Championship club Munster and the Ireland national team.

Early life

Born in Innishannon, County Cork, Crowley first began playing rugby with Bandon. There is a Crowley family connection with the club as Crowley's father, uncles, cousins and brothers have all played for it too. Whilst Crowley was playing for the club's under-18s side, they won the Munster Under-18 Cup and the All-Ireland Under-18 Cup, with Crowley scoring 15 points in the 20–7 win against Skerries under-18s in the latter.[1][2]

Crowley attended Bandon Grammar School and played three years of senior rugby with the school, firstly as a scrum-half before moving to fly-half, and helped guide the school to the semi-final stage of the Munster Schools Senior Cup for the first time in 2017, as well as a second semi-final in 2019, though Presentation Brothers College defeated them on both occasions. Crowley was captain during his third year and scored 21 points in their quarter-final replay win against Glenstal Abbey School, who were defending champions.[1][3]

To play in the amateur All-Ireland League, Crowley moved to Cork Constitution in 2019, where his older brother Billy was already on the books.[3] In recognition of his performances for Con during the 2019–20 season, Crowley was awarded the All-Ireland League Division 1A Rising Star accolade in May 2020.[4]

Crowley is a nephew of former Valley Rovers camogie player Elaine Burke, who captained Cork to an All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship title in 2005.[5]

Munster

Crowley played in all seven of Munster A's fixtures during the 2019–20 Celtic Cup, starting at fly-half and captaining the side in their opening 20–20 draw against Ospreys Development,[6] before featuring as a replacement in the defeats to Dragons A,[7] Leinster A[8] and Connacht Eagles,[9] starting at fullback in the win against Cardiff Blues A[10] and the defeat against Scarlets A,[11] and coming off the bench in the final fixture against Ulster A, which Munster A won 31–12.[12]

Previously a member of the province's sub-academy, Crowley joined Munster's academy ahead of the 2020–21 season,[13] and made his senior competitive debut for the province in their 2020–21 Pro14 round ten fixture against provincial rivals Ulster on 2 January 2021, coming on as a 65th minute replacement for fellow academy fly-half Ben Healy and converting Darren Sweetnam's late try to secure a losing bonus-point for Munster in their 15–10 defeat.[14]

Crowley joined the senior squad on a two-year contract from the 2021–22 season,[15] and made his first start for Munster in their 18–10 away defeat against Welsh side Ospreys in round 5 of the United Rugby Championship on 23 October 2021.[16] Crowley made his Champions Cup debut for Munster in their 2021–22 pool B round 2 fixture at home to French club Castres on 18 December 2021, coming on as a replacement for Ben Healy in the province's 19–13 win.[17] In the reverse fixture away to Castres on 14 January 2022, Crowley made his first start in the Champions Cup and scored 11 points off the kicking tee in Munster's 16–13 win.[18]

Crowley signed a two-year contract extension with the province in December 2022, a deal that will see him remain with Munster until at least June 2025.[19] Crowley scored a 77th minute drop goal for Munster to secure a 16–15 win away to Leinster in the semi-finals of the 2022–23 United Rugby Championship on 13 May 2023,[20] and won Men's Young Player of the Year at the 2023 Rugby Players Ireland awards.[21] He started and scored two conversions in Munster's 19–14 win against the Stormers in the final of the 2022–23 United Rugby Championship on 27 May 2023.[22]

Ireland

Selected in the Ireland under-20s squad for the 2020 Six Nations Under 20s Championship,[23] Crowley started at fly-half in the opening 38–26 win against Scotland, scoring 18 points, including a superb solo try from his own 22, and earning the Man-of-the-Match award.[24] He also started in the 36–20 win against Wales[25] and the 39–21 win against England, the latter of which secured the triple crown for Ireland under-20s for the second year running,[26] though the remainder of the tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[27]

Crowley received his first call up to the Ireland 7s team ahead of the International Rugby 7's tournament at St George's Park, England in May 2021, where they played hosts Great Britain and the United States.[28] Crowley was selected in the Emerging Ireland squad that travelled to South Africa to participate in the Toyota Challenge against Currie Cup teams Free State Cheetahs, Griquas and Pumas in September–October 2022.[29] He started and scored six conversions in Emerging Ireland's 54–7 opening win against Griquas on 30 September,[30] featured as a replacement in the 28–24 win against the Pumas on 5 October,[31] before starting again and scoring three conversions in the 21–14 win against the Cheetahs on 9 October.[32]

Following the Toyota Challenge, Crowley was also selected in the Ireland A panel that joined the senior Ireland team after round 7 of the 2022–23 United Rugby Championship to face an All Blacks XV on 4 November 2022;[33] Crowley featured as a replacement in Ireland A's 47–19 defeat.[34]

Men’s national team

Crowley received his first senior international call-up when he joined the Ireland squad ahead of their 2022 Autumn Nations Series fixture against Fiji.[35] Crowley made his senior international debut for Ireland in the game against Fiji on 12 November, replacing Munster teammate Joey Carbery at fly-half early in the second-half of the match and scoring two conversions in Ireland's 35–17 win.[36] Following a pre-match injury to Johnny Sexton, Crowley was promoted from the bench to make his first senior international start for Ireland against Australia on 19 November, scoring a penalty and conversion in their 13–10 win.[37]

Crowley was selected in his first senior Ireland squad for the Six Nations ahead of the 2023 tournament,[38] and made his tournament debut as a replacement in Ireland's 34–20 away win against Italy in round three on 25 February.[39] Ireland went on win the grand slam.[40]

During the 2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches, Crowley started in Ireland's opening 33–17 win against Italy on 5 August,[41] featured as a replacement in the 29–10 win against England on 19 August,[42] before starting again in the 17–13 win against Samoa on 26 August.[43] He was selected in Ireland's 33-man squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup,[44] and featured as a replacement in their opening 82–8 win against Romania on 9 September,[45] the 13–8 win against South Africa on 23 September,[46] and the 36–14 win against Scotland on 7 October.[47]

He was once again selected for the following 2024 Six Nations Championship, he was picked to start in the opener versus France in Marseille on 2 February, helping Ireland to a record 38-17 win against France.[48] He started the following weekend in Ireland's match at home to Italy, scoring his first senior try and kicking two conversions on the way to a 36-0 win.[49]

Statistics

International analysis by opposition

Against Played Won Lost Drawn Tries Cons Pens Drops Points % Won
 Australia 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 5 100
 England 2 1 1 0 0 1 4 0 14 50
 Fiji 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 4 100
 France 1 1 0 0 0 5 1 0 13 100
 Italy 3 3 0 0 1 5 0 0 15 100
 Romania 1 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 8 100
 Samoa 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 100
 Scotland 2 2 0 0 0 2 1 0 7 100
 South Africa 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 100
 Wales 1 1 0 0 0 4 1 0 11 100
Total 14 13 1 0 1 25 9 0 82 92.86

Correct as of 17 March 2024

Honours

Individual

  • All-Ireland League Division 1A Rising Star:
    • Winner (1): 2019–20
  • Rugby Players Ireland Men's Young Player of the Year:
    • Winner (1): 2023[21]

Cork Constitution

Munster

Ireland under-20s

Ireland

References

  1. ^ a b "'Remember Jack Crowley's name, he is going to play for Munster'". Southern Star. 21 February 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  2. ^ "Club Focus | Bandon RFC Look Ahead To New Season". Munster Rugby. 21 September 2018. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  3. ^ a b "'Very driven, very focused. He'll go a long way': U20 star Crowley earning extra attention". The42. 15 February 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  4. ^ "Cork Constitution recognised with three prizes at first online AIL rugby awards". The Echo. 9 May 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  5. ^ "Valleys Abroad – Interview with Elaine Burke". Valley Rovers. 9 May 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  6. ^ "Report | Munster A Draw Level With Ospreys Development". Munster Rugby. 25 August 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  7. ^ "Report | Munster A Downed By Dragons XV". Munster Rugby. 31 August 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  8. ^ "Report | Munster A Lose Out To Leinster A In Celtic Cup". Munster Rugby. 7 September 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  9. ^ "Report | Munster A Suffer Defeat To Connacht Eagles In Celtic Cup". Munster Rugby. 14 September 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  10. ^ "Report | Bonus-Point Win For Munster A Over Cardiff". Munster Rugby. 21 September 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  11. ^ "Report | Munster A Defeated By Scarlets A". Munster Rugby. 28 September 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  12. ^ "Report | Munster A End Celtic Cup Campaign With Victory". Munster Rugby. 7 October 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  13. ^ "Greencore Munster Rugby Academy Confirmed". Munster Rugby. 5 June 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  14. ^ "Report | Munster Secure Losing Bonus-Point In Belfast". Munster Rugby. 2 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  15. ^ "Player Signing, Contract Extensions & Academy Promotions". Munster Rugby. 30 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  16. ^ "Report | Munster Suffer First Defeat Of Season". Munster Rugby. 23 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  17. ^ "Report | Munster Make It Back-To-Back Wins In Europe". Munster Rugby. 18 December 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  18. ^ "Report | Coombes Strikes Late As Munster Win In France". Munster Rugby. 14 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  19. ^ "Munster Trio Sign Contract Extensions". Munster Rugby. 13 December 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  20. ^ "Munster clinch thrilling one-point win over Leinster to earn URC final spot". Irish Examiner. 13 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  21. ^ a b "Jack Crowley Wins Nevin Spence Men's Young Player of the Year Award". Munster Rugby. 17 May 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  22. ^ "Magical Munster see off Stormers to win URC title and end trophy drought". Irish Examiner. 27 May 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  23. ^ "McNamara Names Ireland Under-20 Squad For Six Nations". Irish Rugby. 20 January 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  24. ^ "Six-Try Triumph Gets Ireland Under-20s Off To Encouraging Start". Irish Rugby. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  25. ^ "Four-Try First Half Does The Damage For Ireland Under-20s". Irish Rugby. 7 February 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  26. ^ "McCann And Ahern Lead Ireland Under-20s To Six-Try Victory". Irish Rugby. 21 February 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  27. ^ "No winner for U20 Six Nations as Championship cancelled". Six Nations Rugby. 5 August 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  28. ^ "Ireland Sevens Squads Named For International Rugby 7s". IRFU. 11 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  29. ^ "Emerging Ireland Squad Named For Bloemfontein Trip". Munster Rugby. 14 September 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  30. ^ "Crowley impresses at 10 as Emerging Ireland hammer the Griquas". The42. 30 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  31. ^ "Emerging Ireland survive late scare to seal second win in South Africa". The42. 5 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  32. ^ "Jack Crowley shines again as Emerging Ireland tame the Cheetahs". Irish Examiner. 9 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  33. ^ "Ireland Squad Named For Bank Of Ireland Nations Series 2022". Munster Rugby. 19 October 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  34. ^ "All Blacks XV tear up the RDS on a painful night for Farrell's Ireland A". The42. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  35. ^ "Conor Murray out of Autumn programme while Jack Crowley added to squad". Irish Examiner. 7 November 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  36. ^ "Crowley leaves his mark on an otherwise forgettable day at Aviva Stadium". The42. 12 November 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  37. ^ "Byrne's late penalty sees Ireland scrape past Wallabies in Dublin". The42. 19 November 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  38. ^ "West Cork rising star Jack Crowley gets the nod over Joey Carbery". The Echo. 19 January 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  39. ^ "Ireland's Grand Slam bid rolls on with bonus-point win over exciting Italy". The42. 25 February 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  40. ^ "Ireland finish over the top of England to claim glorious Grand Slam". The42. 18 March 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  41. ^ "Far from perfect but Ireland get World Cup journey started with a win". Irish Examiner. 5 August 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  42. ^ "Keith Earls marks century with a try as Ireland power past England". Irish Examiner. 19 August 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  43. ^ "Disjointed Ireland scrape past Samoa but injury fears for Cian Healy". Irish Examiner. 26 August 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  44. ^ "Farrell Names 33-Player Ireland Rugby World Cup Squad". Irish Rugby. 27 August 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  45. ^ "Farrell's Ireland breeze to comfortable win over Romania in World Cup opener". Irish Examiner. 10 September 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  46. ^ "Steely Ireland hold nerve in a Paris classic to knock off the Boks". Irish Examiner. 23 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  47. ^ "Ruthless Ireland cruise into World Cup quarter-final". Irish Examiner. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  48. ^ Gault, Matt (2 February 2024). "Six Nations 2024: France 17-38 Ireland - Irish claim bonus-point win over 14-man hosts in Marseille". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  49. ^ Elliott, Ed (12 February 2024). "Ireland 36-0 Italy: Jack Crowley scores first senior try as Six Nations title defence remains firmly on track". Evening Standard. Retrieved 14 February 2024.