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31st January 2024
03:01pm GMT
Ireland go into their first Six Nations since 2010 without Johnny Sexton. (Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)[/caption]
"Obviously, it's a no brainer that Johnny Sexton would be missed, but we always knew that day would come. Now it is the post-Johnny period and it's an opportunity for Jack Crowley to grasp it. But it's also an opportunity for Ciarán Frawley, an opportunity for Harry Byrne, and Ross Byrne, who is injured at the minute. And there's also an opportunity for Sam Prendergast. "All these guys have massive ambition, and dreams, and want to do the best they can in a green jersey. That starts on Friday night. Jack will get first crack at it. If he's good, he'd get a go, but he won't have endless chances, unless he does the business. The signs for me are very positive in the fact that I don't think he's put off his game by making mistakes. "I think he's mentally very strong and I think he's very well prepared. He understands the game very well and he understands what pictures to attack and understands what pictures to kick. So, he's an instinctive player, yet he's proved he can be a structured player. That's what you need to be as a 10." O'Gara says he has also been impressed by 'fantastic rugby player' Ciarán Frawley but notes, "If he wants to be a 10, he needs to play every week. One in three weeks won't be good enough to be the best 10 in Ireland. That's the reality."The Cork native also feels the Byrne brothers 'have a lot to offer' in the Test arena as there is not only a chess game element to the game, at that level, but 'cat-and-mouse' tactics. Crowley gets first crack at the 10 role, this Friday, and will get a few games to prove he has what it takes. As O'Gara notes, though, there is a long line of suitors for that role. [caption id="attachment_297500" align="aligncenter" width="641"]
Guinness is providing fans with the ‘l’opportunité’ to win exclusive prizes, including match tickets and unique match-day experiences as part of the Guinness Giveaway. To enter, simply visit HERE. [/caption]
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