Ireland dealt flyhalf blow ahead of November Springboks clash
INJURY UPDATE: Ireland will be without Jack Crowley when they face the Springboks in November after Munster confirmed the flyhalf is not expected to return from injury until the new year.
Crowley has been sidelined since April with a lower limb vascular injury and has already missed Ireland’s Nations Championship fixtures against Australia, Japan and New Zealand.
His recovery timeline means the 35-Test playmaker will also sit out Ireland’s November clashes against Argentina, Fiji and South Africa, ruling him out of a potential showdown with the Springboks.
Munster head coach Clayton McMillan said the priority is ensuring Crowley returns fully fit.
“Jack Crowley is a very important player for Munster and Ireland with a big future in the game and ensuring he gets back to 100% is the priority,” McMillan said.
Crowley has been a key figure for Ireland since making his Test debut in 2022. He played every minute of Ireland’s 2024 Six Nations title-winning campaign and reclaimed the No.10 jersey during this year’s tournament, guiding Ireland to victories over England, Wales and Scotland to secure the Triple Crown.
His absence is a significant setback for both Ireland and Munster, who begin their 2026/27 United Rugby Championship campaign at home against Glasgow on 26 September.
Munster’s flyhalf stocks have also taken another hit, with new signing Will Harrison suffering a re-aggravation of a knee injury.
“Will Harrison’s injury is a frustrating one for him because he has come into a new environment and made an immediate impression, but the re-aggravation is a setback and we want to make sure he’s in the best possible condition before he takes the field,” McMillan said.
McMillan added that Munster will rely on the experience of JJ Hanrahan alongside academy flyhalves Tom Wood and Charlie O’Shea while Crowley continues his rehabilitation.
Munster also confirmed that Ireland internationals Edwin Edogbo and Tom Farrell (shoulder) and Calvin Nash (hamstring) are expected to return during the opening rounds of the new URC season after undergoing surgery over the summer.
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