Former Ireland duo Shane Horgan and Rob Kearney claim that Jack Crowley will be ‘concerned’ and a ‘touch worried’ after being dropped for their clash with the Wallabies.

The Munster star took the fly-half jersey following the retirement of Johnny Sexton and impressed in the Six Nations as Andy Farrell’s men won the title.

However, Crowley came under pressure for the jersey in South Africa after Ciaran Frawley’s heroics and is now being challenged by Leinster youngster Sam Prendergast.

The 21-year started against Fiji in a game the Irish were always expected to win, but Farrell then made the surprise call to retain Prendergast for the Wallabies clash.

Crowley given media duties

Crowley’s disappointment appeared evident when he faced the media on Tuesday, a decision Horgan described as a “cruel and unusual punishment” with the writing on the wall for the playmaker ahead of Thursday’s official team announcement.

“This is tough, this is the big leagues, this is the biggest position in the Irish rugby team. Look what’s gone on in Ireland for the last 20 years, it is the most glamorous, most important, most connected to the coach,” Horgan told Virgin Media Sport.

“I would say Crowley will be disappointed, I would say he’s concerned, that’s part of it. He’s shown great resilience so far in his career, so he already has that in spades. There are elements that he will have to work on and need to work on.

“Andy Farrell seems like a brilliant man-manager, [but] I don’t think it was a good decision to put Crowley out for media when not selected this week – it seems a cruel and unusual punishment, although we don’t know the background to that.

“This is a three-horse race as well. Frawley in the summer won Ireland that Test match but he had a really poor 15 minutes against New Zealand and he’s now not even on the bench.”

Prendergast showed some good touches in his 65 minutes on the field before Crowley shook off the disappointment of being dropped to the bench by coming on to guide Ireland to a 22-19 victory over the Wallabies.

Six Nations battle

It sets up a fascinating battle ahead of the Six Nations with the big Champions Cup games in December and January no doubt key for the Test fly-half hopefuls as they seek to be first choice come the opener against England.

“He will definitely be a touch worried. But he still has that ability to change Farrell’s mind.

“When you’ve got three good players now vying for a position you’ve got to be head and shoulders above the best.

“Prendergast has been training very well, he came on against Argentina and played very well, and he was very good last week against Fiji.

“Sometimes these decisions are so small that it’s hanging in the balance a little bit, and he just has a bit more momentum.”